Shared Office Kitchens can be a Stink
Most companies provide shared workplace kitchens for the use of their employees during break times. Some employees might sometimes use these spaces for informal meetings with colleagues. However, it seems that these kitchens have also become a source of contention within offices. How unfortunate it is that these office havens that are meant to be a positive addition to the office can also create a stink.
I reached out to a friend who is an office manager to discuss her workplace kitchen. The office kitchen at her workplace not only has a fridge and microwave, but it also sports a big-screen television. When I asked her what benefits such an elaborate eating space provides, she mentioned the following:
It encourages staff to bring and eat higher quality, homemade lunch options, which creates a healthier workforce and, in turn, increases productivity.
It encourages team bonding by providing an attractive space to socialize in.
The television lounging area creates an opportunity to remove oneself from office stresses.
It is also a place to celebrate a variety of events, including birthdays and accomplishments.
The staff enjoys the use of cupboards and fridge to store their food.
Upon further discussion, she also identified a few pitfalls which I have had shared with me in other conversations as follows:
Dirty dishes get left in the sink for long periods.
Food is left in the fridge to rot.
Shared cutlery and dishes are not washed properly.
Additional time is taken on cleaning up, which takes away from productive working hours.
Some people bring food that has foul odours.
Staff use company time waiting to use the microwave or toaster, which also impacts productivity.
Their toaster has been known to set off the fire alarm.
Who gets to wash the tea towels and when?
Some people tend to be generous, and sometimes bring in food to share. If this happens, they are responsible for whatever food is leftover and washing up dishes. This doesn’t mean that anyone who got to enjoy the food is off the hook, though. Having a shared fridge can be tempting for some to help themselves to food that doesn’t belong to them. Don’t do it! We should also make sure that any food being kept in the fridge is clearly labelled.
It seems to me that a key issue of note in the workplace kitchen pertains to cleaning up. If not properly handled, this issue could be a source of conflict in the office. Some people like a clean space and therefore run around cleaning up after their colleagues. This could be a positive thing to do, yet it sometimes causes resentment. They may end up feeling as if they are the “office moms” and get annoyed at everyone else for not stepping up.
My daughter worked in an office where they had weekly cleaning rosters for everyone. Whoever was responsible for cleaning that week got to take the dirty tea towels home at the end of the workweek to wash them. This system worked well for them. It eliminated the assumption that someone else was going to do it, and kept everyone accountable for the cleanliness of the kitchen.
Let us create positive workspaces throughout the office area. If everyone cleaned up after themselves, after every use of the shared kitchen, there would be more harmony. This would create enjoyment and more appreciation for the space that has been provided for respite during working hours. Furthermore, harmony in the office has a positive impact on employee productivity, which leaves everyone feeling happier and more fulfilled at the end of the workday.
