Colleague stealing my noodles

[doitinadayswork]

And replacing them the following day with a pot noodle

The noodles in question are a Korean brand, very tasty. You can actually get them in B&M

I have a colleague who takes my noodles if I hadn't had time to stop and eat that day

And she replaced them the following morning with a pot noodle (argh).

I told my manager who said we like to 'give and take' in this department and was it really such a huge deal? I said she isn't replacing what I got though

AIBU here? What on earth do I do? She isn't one to cross, the thief. She is quite vocal and a higher band who could make me miserable if she so chose to do so

Your managers response is ridiculous, they weren’t here to take.

although if in a communal area, does she think she has free reign?

can you store them somewhere safe like your desk drawer?

Can you not keep them in your bag or locked desk drawer? She wouldn't be able to steal them then.

Stop leaving your noodles in a location she can access? Put them in your locked drawers at your desk or in your bag? If they are pot-noodle-esque then they aren't bulky.

Keep your noodles in your bag. There's no other choice if she can make life difficult.

Where are you keeping the noodles? Can you not keep them in your bag?

Whatever the case, this is stealing, plain and simple, and it's irrelevant that she's "replacing" them, which she's actually not, btw.

Honestly if management won't get involved I would be keeping your food items in your bag or locker if you have one. Either that or I would simply stop bringing the noodles altogether. I appreciate that's probably not what you wanted to hear and you absolutely shouldn't have to but if your manager is already refusing to help it's probably the best plan going forward.

Yep. Keep them in your bag/locker/cubicle. Basically keep them out of the shared area

Keep your noodles in your own desk, bag or locker.

Just tell her that's not acceptable.

Why would you keep putting them out when you know she's nicking them?! Yes she shouldn't do it, you shouldn't have to keep them out of sight yadda yadda, but come on... it's easily sorted.

Agree with keep them in your bag.

Disagree with comments about management response. As a manager, I’d expect you to have that conversation directly with the other person. Unless it was a perennial problem and needed escalating after not being resolved.

Why on earth leave them out of you know she’s stealing them?! I mean - come on.

Do not put them where she can get them. If you 100% know it is her, have a quiet word. No need to involve your manager.

As Above,
keep them somewhere she can’t get to them.

Like in your bag/locker/ desk. Noodles don’t take up too much space. Should be easy to do.

Unfortunate you have to do this though and get that you’re annoyed.

I can’t believe you went to your manager about this! You are not at school.

It's a bit strange that she takes them then goes to the effort of getting a pot noodle to replace them.

Agree with pp keep them hidden.

where the hell are you leaving them that she can steal them? Surely food stays in your bag or locker, particularly something dried like noodles.

Write in thick black marker on the top "PLEASE DON'T STEAL"

I’d put tiny bits of rat poison into the packet and leave it for her to steal. Sharing is caring apparently, according to your pathetic boss.

Lace them with laxatives 😉
no don’t do this! Just keep them out of communal areas!!

Put a post it on the packet saying "I have licked these noodles, use at your peril"

You could open the packet and then reseal with tape for added dramatic effect.

no to laxatives (you have to use the bathrooms at work too!) but yes to chilli powder or loads of salt at the bottom of the noodle pack. she eats it, it's horrible- never does it again.

Or "KEEP YOUR MITTS OFF MY GRUB"
à la Ross.

Have you spoken to her? If so and she's ignoring you, you were right to speak to your manager and they were damned useless!

You could always make the Pot Noodle "replacement" and wait till she's away from her desk and tip it into her bag...

Add an emetic