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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBu to eat a peanut butter sandwich at work?

136 replies

TwistMyMelons · 14/08/2023 21:38

Every time I take one I wonder if I’m being unreasonable to do this. I work in an open plan office. But I don’t have anyone sitting very close to me. It’s a quiet office and not one where I can reasonably ask people if they have allergies.
Is it ok for me to be eating a peanut butter sandwich in work or is it inconsiderate?? Please help 😂

OP posts:
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6
AlfietheSchnauzer · 15/08/2023 06:32

JenniferBarkley · 14/08/2023 23:31

My five year old carries epipens due to a peanut allergy - you're fine. Most people can be in the same room as peanuts just fine. If someone near her was eating a peanut butter sandwich I'd just ask them to wash their hands and wipe down the table once done - as much for reassurance as for actual risk in our case although some people do have to be careful about contact reactions.

People can be allergic to anything, no need to go banning allergens except in the case of an individual with an unusually severe allergy which you would have been advised about.

I wouldn't appreciate being told to wash my hands etc like a naughty child when I'm a grown adult. Perhaps try asking people nicely

JenniferBarkley · 15/08/2023 06:35

AlfietheSchnauzer · 15/08/2023 06:32

I wouldn't appreciate being told to wash my hands etc like a naughty child when I'm a grown adult. Perhaps try asking people nicely

Show quote history

Wtf? Maybe read the post again. Confused

Natsku · 15/08/2023 06:37

Not unreasonable. If someone has an airborne allergy it must be there responsibility to inform their workplace and/or people working near them. But check with HR to reassure yourself.

WhereTheSuburbsMeetUttoxeter · 15/08/2023 06:37

TwistMyMelons · 14/08/2023 22:55

Asking Hr about but allergies is a great idea! I might do this. Thank you

I'd start first with the nut allergies and, work up from there if you feel you need more information 🤣

Now I'm being Bez after seeing your username! Albeit a sofa Bez. I have just taken my meds and put my eyedrops in!

Swimbius · 15/08/2023 06:39

Our work canteen sells snickers and serves things like chicken satay. I'd guess that's more common than workplaces banning nuts.

AlfietheSchnauzer · 15/08/2023 06:42

@JenniferBarkley Yes you said "ask" but I would personally say "would you mind washing your hands afterwards please?"

not "Can you wash your hands after please?"

I think a lot of people ignore these things out of defiance - not that I condone that and to be clear I personally wouldn't ever ignore an allergy ban. But asking nicely is a lot more effective

MiddleParking · 15/08/2023 06:42

I would have thought anyone with an airborne nut allergy would probably self select their employment in the first place or be very, very clear about it. I can’t imagine you’d just find out about it the hard way! I’d have to resign if they asked us not to eat peanut butter at work tbh. I live on the stuff.

MiddleParking · 15/08/2023 06:43

AlfietheSchnauzer · 15/08/2023 06:42

@JenniferBarkley Yes you said "ask" but I would personally say "would you mind washing your hands afterwards please?"

not "Can you wash your hands after please?"

I think a lot of people ignore these things out of defiance - not that I condone that and to be clear I personally wouldn't ever ignore an allergy ban. But asking nicely is a lot more effective

How on earth did you manage to surmise that that poster wouldn’t ‘ask nicely’?

WhereTheSuburbsMeetUttoxeter · 15/08/2023 06:45

But - would you mind is asking.

Unless it's can I ask to wash your hand please? Which is still asking.

I don't think telling was mentioned.

Nothing rude at all in that post. Very reasonable in fact considering the poster's son's allergies.

FloofCloud · 15/08/2023 06:47

I often have peanuts at work in my drawer for mid afternoon lull! I wouldn't do this if someone had an allergy, but generally people are made aware if someone locally has an allergy.

Willmafrockfit · 15/08/2023 06:48

i think you'd know if someone had such a restrictive allergy op

a colleague has a peanut allergy but has said she is fine if people have peanuts

YukoandHiro · 15/08/2023 06:49

NannyR · 14/08/2023 23:20

People can have similarly life threatening allergic reactions to other foods too, so where do you draw the line at banning foods? The anaphylaxis campaign doesn't support schools banning high allergen foods like peanuts, so I would presume the same thing would apply to workplaces.

It doesn't support it because it's too easy a way to get out of their responsibility to keep all people safe and it ignores the fact that milk allergy kills more under 10s. The rule makes people think peanuts are more deadly than other allergens which isn't true.

AvengedQuince · 15/08/2023 06:50

Nevermay · 14/08/2023 23:02

I would have thought most work places ban peanuts

I've never worked anywhere with any food ban.

GoodChat · 15/08/2023 06:52

I think YABU because peanut butter should only be eaten on toast but I think people are focussing on the wrong things here - severe allergies etc Wink

JenniferBarkley · 15/08/2023 06:53

AlfietheSchnauzer · 15/08/2023 06:42

@JenniferBarkley Yes you said "ask" but I would personally say "would you mind washing your hands afterwards please?"

not "Can you wash your hands after please?"

I think a lot of people ignore these things out of defiance - not that I condone that and to be clear I personally wouldn't ever ignore an allergy ban. But asking nicely is a lot more effective

What part of "I'd ask them to wash their hands" makes you think I would be doing anything other than asking politely.

You misread the post, just admit it rather than making yourself look like an eejit.

JenniferBarkley · 15/08/2023 06:55

YukoandHiro · 15/08/2023 06:49

It doesn't support it because it's too easy a way to get out of their responsibility to keep all people safe and it ignores the fact that milk allergy kills more under 10s. The rule makes people think peanuts are more deadly than other allergens which isn't true.

Show quote history

Completely agree re milk. I often see people posting in allergy FB groups about people daring to have nuts in public and it really annoys me. One person was giving out about someone feeding nuts to squirrels in the park - as if her kids haven't walked around dripping ice-cream anywhere.

CherryMaDeara · 15/08/2023 07:02

We have peanut butter as a breakfast option at work, I think the onus is on employers to tell employees f they need to be careful.

Overthebow · 15/08/2023 07:05

Nevermay · 14/08/2023 23:02

I would have thought most work places ban peanuts

Why? I’ve never come across a workplace that’s banned them.

Busubaba · 15/08/2023 07:08

If someone was that allergic to peanuts they would speak to their colleagues around them to mention they had an allergy and to let them know if they brought in a peanut butter sandwich so they have the option to go elsewhere during the lunch break etc.

They can't demand you don't eat it.

JenniferBarkley · 15/08/2023 07:11

Busubaba · 15/08/2023 07:08

If someone was that allergic to peanuts they would speak to their colleagues around them to mention they had an allergy and to let them know if they brought in a peanut butter sandwich so they have the option to go elsewhere during the lunch break etc.

They can't demand you don't eat it.

DH's workplace is now completely nut free due to a new member of staff with a severe allergy. I imagine they absolutely could demand someone doesn't eat a peanut butter sandwich on health and safety grounds given their duty of care to the employee.

But that is an extreme scenario and people will know if it applies.

BarbaraofSeville · 15/08/2023 07:13

The only place I've known that's banned anything (and I visit a lot of workplaces because I'm a H&S consultant) is, ironically, a peanut packaging factory, which didn't allow sesame on site.

Presumably to protect people who can eat peanuts but are deadly allergic to sesame seeds.

bladebladebla1 · 15/08/2023 07:24

@AlfietheSchnauzer why are you assuming she didn't ask nicely. Weird assumption. And god some people love arguing for no reason. If someone can die because someone hasn't washed their hands then yeah they can ask you to ffs.

bladebladebla1 · 15/08/2023 07:25

I think Alfie needs to get back to bed. Rough night maybe 😂😂

WeAreTheHeroes · 15/08/2023 07:26

Nevermay · 14/08/2023 23:02

I would have thought most work places ban peanuts

Really? I have never worked anywhere where we have been told any food is banned. I would respect it if we were.

Seaswimmingforthesoul · 15/08/2023 07:30

I've never worked anywhere with a blanket ban on nuts that I know of, and like other PP have said, I'd imagine you'd be made aware of an allergy in your workplace.
However, I personally dont take nut based products to work or to anywhere where i will be eating in public. I just think it's considerate as nut allergies are so common. It's not a massive deal thoigh, I wouldn't worry.