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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
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5
Loria · 14/04/2023 00:34

That's nothing op. We've got a couple of electric car charging points at work.

I've seen colleagues use them to charge their actual cars rather than pick their cars up and carry them home again.

Those fuckers.

LuluBlakey1 · 14/04/2023 00:41

maddy68 · 14/04/2023 00:15

So tell me you never cabrea your phone at work

You are being ridiculous. They use barely anything

I can honestly say I never do this, ever.

Loria · 14/04/2023 00:44

Yes. Better a dead, useless phone than 1p on my employer's electricity bill.

NumberTheory · 14/04/2023 00:44

@Whatt
I'm not sure if my colleague is aware of the impact this is having on our electricity bill

Are you aware of the impact on the electricity bill? How much is he fleecing the company for? My quick google suggested about 20p a day. How does that compare to the cost the company is paying towards infrastructure and other costs of car driving colleagues - some of their business rates presumably go to ensuring roads are able to cope with the weight of cars, for instance. And the cost of pollution caused sickness will also be being absorbed. I'm not saying your work are obliged to let him charge his scooter for free, just pointing out that you're unreasonably fixated on this cost.

BringtheJury · 14/04/2023 00:44

Do they bring the scooter into the office and plug it in or do they use a charger for electric cars in the car park?

TwoMonthsOff · 14/04/2023 00:45

Jobsworth alert
FFS life is too short to be so petty minded.

LadyJ2023 · 14/04/2023 00:48

Hmmmm why let it bother you its not your electric

Loria · 14/04/2023 00:50

Ah but op thinks that she has shit teabags and scratchy bogroll because of this scooter charging mania.

Twilight7777 · 14/04/2023 00:52

I can’t believe you’d even consider saying anything, you’ve no idea how bad their circumstances are!

RobinaHood · 14/04/2023 00:58

I'm laughing at the thought no manager has noticed a scooter charging in the office. Maybe it's festooned with coats? hidden behind a giant seasonal cut-out eg a bunny for easter? docked behind strategically placed bins?

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.

MattTebbuttsDenimShirt · 14/04/2023 00:59

Snitches get stitches.

Shanked in the (April) showers.

Given a tug. By the charging plug.

Get their hooters, run over by scooters.

I'd stay well out of it.

Tomorrowisagesaway · 14/04/2023 01:00

I thought you were going to say you were worried that it might go on fire in the office - not use a few pennies worth of electricity. I'd worry about the fire risk, which may not be covered by your company's insurance.

Have you combined about the awful toilet paper - would be a step too far for me. If they won't upgrade club together with colleagues to get decent stuff.

WeAreAllLionesses · 14/04/2023 01:01

I think you're the one taking the piss...

QueenCamilla · 14/04/2023 01:07

Loria · 14/04/2023 00:50

Ah but op thinks that she has shit teabags and scratchy bogroll because of this scooter charging mania.

TBF, I wouldn't be safe around humans after a scratchy bog-roll swipe. I'd get the lad and the scooter and plug it where sun don't shine!
That would hopefully land me in the cells, so I can have my caffeine fix on the state :)

IsolatedWilderness · 14/04/2023 01:25

The bottled water I get. Those bottles are bad for the environment. That's a good move. Tea and coffee, that seems a bit rough. Is it an environmental exercise or cost cutting? If it's cost cutting, then I suppose if everyone starts charging things it will add up. If it's environmental, then I guess they'll be quite happy with the charging of electric vehicles. Either way, I'm sure they are aware and don't need to be told that electricity costs money.

WishingMyLifeAway · 14/04/2023 01:30

YABVVVU. Don't be that person. Mind your own.

JackiePlace · 14/04/2023 01:32

People in my office used to put all their family/friend Chrismas cards in the work mail to be franked and sent out. They were quite obvious to spot in the post box.

Pure cheek.

Frogger8395 · 14/04/2023 01:33

Snitch.

Phoebo · 14/04/2023 01:34

Wow get a life!

MattTebbuttsDenimShirt · 14/04/2023 06:49

RobinaHood · 14/04/2023 00:58

I'm laughing at the thought no manager has noticed a scooter charging in the office. Maybe it's festooned with coats? hidden behind a giant seasonal cut-out eg a bunny for easter? docked behind strategically placed bins?

Don't be silly, that's the treadmill.

Oh sorry, I was just looking to the right of me wondering where it had gone. Stolen, I tell you!

DustyLee123 · 14/04/2023 06:51

It might be worth asking management if people’s own items, that are being used in the company’s electric sockets, need safety testing and how that gets done.

Curiosity101 · 14/04/2023 06:57

And what if they literally need to charge it to be able to do the return journey?! YABVU

Doingmybest12 · 14/04/2023 06:59

People do lots of annoying things at work. The best way to not end up feeling bitter is to accept this and just work in the way you are happy with and let others do their thing , I can't give headspace to every minor thing going on..

Daffodil92 · 14/04/2023 07:00

You’re being absolutely pathetic. Tell your boss, I bet he won’t give a toss and you’ll make your self look beyond petty.