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AIBU?

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Original poster

Colleague charging electric scooter at work

276 replies

Whatt · 14/04/2023 00:12

One of my colleagues has recently started commuting to work on an electric scooter, which is great for the environment and saves them money on travel expenses. However, the issue is that they've been using the work place plugs to charge their scooter during the day.

Now, I'm all for being environmentally friendly and reducing waste, which is something that our management team has been pushing for lately. They've switched to cheaper hand wash and toilet roll, and they no longer provide bottled water or tea, coffee, and biscuits in the staff room. I understand that these changes are necessary due to the high cost of living and the need to reduce expenses.

However, I can't help but feel like it's a bit unfair that my colleague is essentially getting free electricity to charge their personal vehicle while the rest of us are being asked to make these small sacrifices.

I'm also worried that if our electricity bill goes up, management may take away other benefits and incentives that we currently enjoy, without realizing that the charging of the electric scooter is the cause.

I'm not sure if my colleague is aware of the impact this is having on our electricity bill, but I feel like it's something that management should know about. I don't want to be seen as a snitch or cause any unnecessary conflict in the workplace, but I do think it's important to be transparent and fair.

Yabu = mind your own
Yanbu = they're taking the piss

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
AchillesElbow · 14/04/2023 15:10

Officially, we are not even allowed to use phone chargers at work as they are not PAT tested. In reality we use chargers if necessary. There’s no way an electric scooter would be tolerated. They probably wouldn’t even let it in the building.

Pipsquiggle · 14/04/2023 16:30

Whatt · 14/04/2023 12:36

Wow, I think I might be guilty of BU . I never realized how affordable it is to charge an electric scooter!

However, I still have concerns. If everyone starts charging their scooters, won't the cost go up? And where will we find the space to charge them all? Those things are pretty bulky, and our staff room is already on the small side.
I don't think management has caught wind of this yet, since they never venture into our humble abode.

But with the way they're cutting back, I'd rather have a well-stocked refreshment corner than a scooter garage. After all, it's tough times out here, and we all need a little pick-me-up.

@Whatt - read the room FFS - do you really want to be THAT person?

If more people start to bring E-scooters in, then your company MIGHT have to bring a policy in - sounds like a storage issue over electricity bills.

Teabags / Coffee / Milk for numerous people are way more expensive than charging an E-scooter. They are 2 separate issues.

Offensiveapprently · 14/04/2023 16:42

You must be really bored at work first this to bother you. 😴

Nordicrain · 14/04/2023 16:45

Do you charge your phone there? Do you use water at work to wash your hands/ fill your water bottle/ make yourself drinks? Would you hestitate to take a tea with you from work for your commute?

You are being ridiculous frankly.

QueenCamilla · 14/04/2023 19:33

Tiredalwaystired · 14/04/2023 09:13

Ah. You’ve never worked in the public sector then.

Show quote history

I've had a few replies saying that's how it goes working for the council... I'm appalled tbf!
Whilst the higher echelons get their "expenses" on Duck ponds covered, and restaurant bills paid, the workers have to bring their own tea bags? Awful! 😡

Daffodil91 · 14/04/2023 19:38

How do you get to work OP? Do you park at work?

Iamanunsafebuilding · 14/04/2023 19:56

QueenCamilla · 14/04/2023 00:58

Sounds a shit company to work for.
Like really shit.
I've worked in some very poor countries but have never known an office without tea&coffee and a water-cooler provided for staff.
One office switched to a cheaper water cooler company in the 2008 financial crash 🤷

Go work somewhere better OP.

I work in the public sector and we had our free tea and coffee removed as it was deemed not a responsible use of public funds! We have cold drinking water and hot water dispensers but we have to provide our own coffee, teabags and milk!

Irritateandunreasonable · 14/04/2023 21:16

You’re insane.

EggBlanket · 14/04/2023 21:16

Whatt · 14/04/2023 12:36

Wow, I think I might be guilty of BU . I never realized how affordable it is to charge an electric scooter!

However, I still have concerns. If everyone starts charging their scooters, won't the cost go up? And where will we find the space to charge them all? Those things are pretty bulky, and our staff room is already on the small side.
I don't think management has caught wind of this yet, since they never venture into our humble abode.

But with the way they're cutting back, I'd rather have a well-stocked refreshment corner than a scooter garage. After all, it's tough times out here, and we all need a little pick-me-up.

I didn’t realise ALL of your colleagues have electric scooters. I thought it was just one guy.

manticlimactic0 · 14/04/2023 21:25

StepAwayFromTheBiscuitJar · 14/04/2023 00:30

I'd be pretty pissed off if my workplace stopped providing tea and coffee tbh. Last two jobs had fancy free vending machines and current one have a proper professional one like you see in Costa etc.

I've been feeling pretty hard done by having to drink instant at the site office. 😂

I started at my current place and was shocked they provided tea and coffee!

My previous place didn't. But there was over 2000 people in the building but I didn't realise companies providing it was a thing

cansu · 14/04/2023 21:34

FGS

  1. It is ONE scooter. It is highly unlikely that the whole company will get a scooter and charge it at work. When this happens, you can worry about it.
  2. The cost is small.
  3. The fact that they are no longer providing tea and coffee is because they are mean and do not care about their staff. If you report the scooter, it will not mean that they start being kinder and provide refreshments.
  4. You really are the definition of a busybody. Leave your colleague alone. The company electricity bill is nothing to do with you.
Beachywave · 14/04/2023 21:50

YABVU
Do you charge your laptop or phone at work?

Isiteveningyet · 14/04/2023 23:17

Whatt · 14/04/2023 12:36

Wow, I think I might be guilty of BU . I never realized how affordable it is to charge an electric scooter!

However, I still have concerns. If everyone starts charging their scooters, won't the cost go up? And where will we find the space to charge them all? Those things are pretty bulky, and our staff room is already on the small side.
I don't think management has caught wind of this yet, since they never venture into our humble abode.

But with the way they're cutting back, I'd rather have a well-stocked refreshment corner than a scooter garage. After all, it's tough times out here, and we all need a little pick-me-up.

Ok this escalated so now everyone has one and you’re worried about if they all do it and you don’t have the space?

I think deal with that hurdle if it arises op. Which we all know it won’t.

honestly sometimes it’s better to put your hand up and say yes I’m petty and vindictive and saw them getting something and wanted to stop it. Rather than proclaim you’re worrried about a scooter garage.

Outliers · 14/04/2023 23:22

How did you not cringe writing this

Amberjane41 · 14/04/2023 23:26

Wow first world problems much! Get a life seriously

Isiteveningyet · 14/04/2023 23:38

Outliers · 14/04/2023 23:22

How did you not cringe writing this

It’s the fact she doubled down on it and declared rhe real issue was she was concerned all staff would take over the staff room with their avalanche of scooters and charge them. My toes literally curled 😂

Noodles1234 · 15/04/2023 11:19

I probably wouldn’t have noticed, however yes I agree. If it was a one off it wouldn’t bother me, but if everyday when they’re reducing staff benefits it might, that and I pay £150 a month on petrol on a small car - I’d probably be jealous more than annoyed!

Being once in Management, they notice more than we realise they do. If you leave it eventually something will happen.

DojaPhat · 15/04/2023 11:56

Outliers · 14/04/2023 23:22

How did you not cringe writing this

Because this is the very essence of some people's existence. These people who thrive on this sort of thing, curtain twitchers at home and 'self-appointed' moral police at work. These kind of people are the sort who would go to speak to a manager because their colleague mentioned being tired in passing so someone like the OP would seek to report said colleague for potential performance issues. Seen it a million times. Far from feeling cringe about it, this gives the OP a serotonin boost.

Pandajane · 15/04/2023 11:56

Seriously? You would rather get another human being in trouble than just live and let live? SMH - you need to do better at being a human and mind your own!

Jaxhog · 15/04/2023 12:32

I don't know what the cost is, but she should have asked permission as a courtesy at least. Are you sure she hasn't?

7eleven · 15/04/2023 17:53

For goodness sake OP, lighten up.

Bunce1 · 15/04/2023 18:27

still! You still think this is an issue?! Scooters by the boat load. So cringe!

Devoutspoken · 15/04/2023 18:38

Out of interest, how do electric car users charge their cars at work

QuintanaRoo · 15/04/2023 18:49

Devoutspoken · 15/04/2023 18:38

Out of interest, how do electric car users charge their cars at work

My place has chargers installed but they’re charged ones, you have to pay at the charging point to get it to work.

Devoutspoken · 15/04/2023 19:05

Quintana, that's interesting, you'd think they'd try and encourage more people to commute without fossil fuels, by subsidising it

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