Dear Workplace Wonda,
Kitchen utensils and condiments have been disappearing from
my office. I recently purchased (with
my own money) forks and spoons and this week they are gone. I also have, in the
past, bought ketchup and salad dressing, and they magically disappears when I
need them. I have a new boss and don’t
know how to talk to him about this. Can
you please help?
Signed, Buyers Beware
Dear Buyers Beware,
Is nothing sacred?
Missing items out of the workplace break room is as mysterious as the
“missing sock.” You buy a “pair” but
always end up with a “single!” Where do
they all go? Somewhere in the world is
the match to over a zillion orphaned socks.
Can’t we put a chip in them like we do our dogs and have a national hot
line where you can report lost and found socks?
Or better yet, have a singles cruise where lonely socks can mingle and
find the perfect or nearly perfect match!
Seriously, if anyone has seen a single ASICS women’s intensity athletic
sock (Style #: ZKD2035) in purple and
white, size large, please tell it to come home.
Focus, Workplace Wonda!
O.K., I’m back. Back
to you and your missing ketchup. Whether
it is not washing your dishes, cleaning up after yourself, or swiping
co-workers forks, it all comes down to workplace etiquette. Behavior in the workplace often mirrors
behavior in the home. Hmmm, that gets me
thinking. Mr. Workplace Wonda never puts
his coffee mug in the dishwasher at home.
I wonder if he leaves his coffee mug out at work. I must investigate! My point is, we spend so much time at the
office and with our co-workers, and we tend to throw workplace etiquette right
out with the carton of creamer Sandy stole from Janet last week.
Now, you’re not saying, but I’m assuming, these items you
have purchased are stored in the community break room. I’m also assuming they were purchased for
your use only since you are upset they are missing. In my office, unless it is someone’s lunch or
drink or has their name on it, it is considered community property. That is why one of my co-workers hides a tub
of tasty treats in her office. She so
correctly has surmised that if she puts the tub of candy out in the community
break room, in public view of “those who shall remain nameless,” they will be
quickly devoured. If this
is an option for you with the nonperishable items, you might consider storing
them in your office and bringing them out when needed.
Another option is to post break room rules. For example, in my office, a certain employee
was forced to post the following: Please
clean up after yourself. * Don’t leave
dirty dishes in the sink. * Dry them and
put them away. Our kitchen will look so
much nicer. Does this work? Yes!
But, can I tell you a little secret?
When she has the day off or on vacation, I freely leave my coffee mug in
the sink, unwashed, not put away! I
giggle and laugh, and state for the whole office to hear, “Free at last, oh God
almighty, we are free at last!” I kid.
If there were no rules, we would sink into savagery like the schoolboys
in “Lord of the Flies.”
How to address with a new boss is simple. Instead of complaining, introduce possible
solutions and ask your boss to place break room rules on your next meeting
agenda. This way, it becomes on office
discussion and everyone can become a part of the solution.
The only other option is to do what Elsa did in the movie
“Frozen.” Let it go….Let it go…
Signed, Workplace Wonda
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