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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:
Thread gallery
5
Knullrufs · 14/04/2023 07:50

I think if you’ve ever flushed the loo at work, charged your phone at your desk, or checked the bus/train timetable or traffic on your work computer or during work time you haven’t got a leg to stand on.

GoodChat · 14/04/2023 07:51

Pinkflamingopants · 14/04/2023 07:34

A company taking away a few tea bags and biscuits and blaming cost of living?

They haven't done it because of the cost of living. They've done it to be more environmentally friendly.

KimberleyClark · 14/04/2023 07:51

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.

You’ve clearly never worked in the UK public sector. We did have one of those boiling/chilled water taps. But tea and coffee? Dream on. Had to provide our own.

theswoot · 14/04/2023 07:52

@JingsMahBucket and it’s not even just about the OP’s situation - but the other things mentioned here like removing of perks like tea and coffee, not being allowed to charge phones etc., as well as behaviour like snitching and jobsworthiness. And people wonder why so many prefer to be at home? It can’t be good for us to have to spend time in such toxic places.

BrokenWing · 14/04/2023 07:52

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=753522689144825

Also when these batteries go they really go! (although couldn't help laughing at the guy in the video too!)

NewLifter · 14/04/2023 07:52

BreviloquentBastard · 14/04/2023 00:23

I charge my phone at work, and my personal laptop if I feel like it. I've seen colleagues charging headphones, e-cigs, tablets, watches, a Switch.. Hell one of my colleagues brought in a slow cooker and made ribs for lunch.

You may need to lighten up a bit.

This made me laugh so much 😂legend!

gelatogina · 14/04/2023 07:53

You are being massively, massively unreasonable

Hotcrossed · 14/04/2023 07:53

GoodChat · 14/04/2023 07:51

They haven't done it because of the cost of living. They've done it to be more environmentally friendly.

there is nothing environmentally friendly about not providing tea bags coffee and biscuits.

Knullrufs · 14/04/2023 07:53

GoodChat · 14/04/2023 07:51

They haven't done it because of the cost of living. They've done it to be more environmentally friendly.

Nah. I reckon they’ve done it to protect/boost profit.

clpsmum · 14/04/2023 07:56

There's always one ffs 🙄

ChiChaNaYubi · 14/04/2023 07:56

dudsville · 14/04/2023 07:36

I remember someone charging her phone at work over 20 years ago, no cost of living crisis, and even then i thought how desperate things must be for her.

You thought someone was desperate for charging their phone at work? That’s mental.

Pipsquiggle · 14/04/2023 07:56

I would be mutinous over the tea and coffee situation tbh.

Your company sounds really stingy.

Do not report your colleague, you would be snitching over a £1 a week, which, to be frank, is pathetic.

greenflamingo · 14/04/2023 07:59

I think you need to unclench.

Isiteveningyet · 14/04/2023 08:02

Wow. Really. Bet you’re popular.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 14/04/2023 08:02

I would be a bit concerned about it being a fire hazard if it hasn’t been approved. Don’t really see an issue otherwise though.

Topseyt123 · 14/04/2023 08:02

My DH charges the battery for his electric bike at work. It's so that he can actually make the journey home on it.

I don't see why you feel the need to complain. That would make you a snitch, and a right tit to boot.

gettingolderandgrumpier · 14/04/2023 08:03

Where I work only company cars can be charged at work , you have to put a code in . How do you know she hasn’t asked permission agreed to pay for the electric etc ?

Bunce1 · 14/04/2023 08:05

Do whip your ruler out to measure a slice of cake when it’s someone’s birthday? It’s got to be fair!

You’re being silly, don’t be that guy.

newnamethanks · 14/04/2023 08:05

You have not got enough work to do if you have time to focus on this rubbish.

signalsnap · 14/04/2023 08:05

@hoophoophooray this thread is not about the fire risk. But thank you for giving me a smile by suggesting I think it's ok for everyone to burn to death, because I don't agree that OP should snitch on her colleague. So mumsnet :)

Snaaaaacks · 14/04/2023 08:06

Oh gosh you are "one of those". I do hope you've never charged your phone/ear buds at work as you are stealing electricity too. I'd hate to work with someone like you.

Oneglassisnotenough · 14/04/2023 08:09

NewLifter · 14/04/2023 07:52

This made me laugh so much 😂legend!

😂😂😂

We had someone smoke fish once. Fuck me. It stank out the office for days.

Op… you need to chill out.

GoodChat · 14/04/2023 08:09

@Hotcrossed there is - reduces packaging usage, courier usage and boiling of hot water.

Oneglassisnotenough · 14/04/2023 08:09

Bunce1 · 14/04/2023 08:05

Do whip your ruler out to measure a slice of cake when it’s someone’s birthday? It’s got to be fair!

You’re being silly, don’t be that guy.

You know that!! 😆

Remaker · 14/04/2023 08:10

The only thing I would worry about is whether they’re using the correct type of charger. Using a cheap knockoff can be a fire hazard, there have been a few house fires in my city caused by them. But fretting over the cost of the power? Pull your head in.