the bring your own lunch rant

Thriftylady

lynzpower wrote:

MAybe you sohuld get yourself one of those mini fridges they are selling off everywhere and stash it under your desk. that'll teach em!

that would be hilarious, love that idea !

I did take flasks of soup to work during the winter, but I'm carrying so much in and out every day that I'm going to end up six inches shorter (and I'm not that tall to begin with...).

when we first moved to the building a few years back, the union did raise the issue but were basically told to get stuffed, and that we were privileged to have such a well subsidised canteen (and to give them their credit, the standard of the food is good).

In reality, my biggest temptation is the coffee, they sell fantastic coffee (supplied by a well known chain of coffee bars) , everytime I smell it I have to battle with myself not to buy it! Its cheaper than in 'the real world' but at 95p a cup, its not the sort of thing a Thriftylady should be buying on a regular basis !!

Emmzi

quick legislation check on the web...

Seats in work areas can be counted as eating facilities provided they are in a sufficiently clean place and there is a suitable surface on which to place food. Eating facilities should include a facility for preparing or obtaining a hot drink, such as an electric kettle, a vending machine or a canteen. Workers who work during hours or at places where hot food cannot be obtained in, or reasonably near to, the workplace should be provided with the means for heating their own food.

Looks like it's annoyingly legal!

OTOH if you had an unusual religion that meant you had specific hot home made food dietary requirements...!!

Thriftylady

ooooh, I'm so glad to see so many people behind me on this....I don't mind my colleagues laughing at me (all good natured, I hasten to add!) because at the end of the day, I'm not the one ploughing my salary back into the company, I'm keeping as much as possible of it for myself thanks!

Its an interesting discussion though, I'm sure there are thousands of other employees out there who are in the same situation. Its not life or death obviously, but it is just that wee bit annoying!

ti1980

What kind of prices are they charging for the different types of food?

I used to have a sandwich for lunch everyday until I got sick of the sight of them so I started bringing my own meals in but we have a microwave so can just use those so I sympathise with you.

How much do they charge you for water?

jesster_2

Isn't there a rule that a workplace is supposed to have a space where you can sit for a break away from your desk, like a staff room (or KITCHEN perhaps??) Because presumably the proviso on this would be that a canteen where you HAVE to buy something to sit there would not count?

MinnieSpender

Thriftylady - I wholeheartedly admire your stance! Can you perhaps take it further? How about packing a full three-course meal in your bag - maybe soup to start with, a roast dinner for the main, and apple crumble with custard to finish? Of course, you'll need a fine wine for the main course, and maybe a shot of brandy to finish. I'd also suggest packing a good linen tablecloth, fancy crockery and your best silver to eat with. Maybe add a candle stuck in an old Chianti bottle to add a little finesse to your lunch. And hire a violin player to serenade you while you eat.

You go, girl!

jesster_2

And I'm totally with you on how annoying it is. We have a tiny kitchen with a kettle and microwave, and when I was offered a 'promotion' to another base, part of the reason I turned it down was that it only has a canteen and no kettle, and I'm not drinking overpriced tea out of fake cups! (I'll live to regret it when I'm still working in the same place at 68 mind!)

That sounds really daft now... There were other reasons too, honest....

jesster_2

MinnieSpender wrote:

Thriftylady - I wholeheartedly admire your stance! Can you perhaps take it further? How about packing a full three-course meal in your bag - maybe soup to start with, a roast dinner for the main, and apple crumble with custard to finish? Of course, you'll need a fine wine for the main course, and maybe a shot of brandy to finish. I'd also suggest packing a good linen tablecloth, fancy crockery and your best silver to eat with. Maybe add a candle stuck in an old Chianti bottle to add a little finesse to your lunch. And hire a violin player to serenade you while you eat.

You go, girl!

:rotfl: :rotfl:

Set up a hog roast on your desk, or a barbecue in the corridor, complete with chef's hat and patio furniture. That'll show 'em!

MinnieSpender

jesster wrote:

:rotfl: :rotfl:

Set up a hog roast on your desk, or a barbecue in the corridor, complete with chef's hat and patio furniture. That'll show 'em!

Excellent! Then sell tickets to your colleagues! :rotfl:

Emmzi

Hmm.. how about flasks? Get all sorts in there.. soup, stews, pasta dishes, risotto...