WWYD: Taking Food from a Work Party?

[wesleycrusher4ever]

Is she having financial problems? When I was fresh out of grad school I would sneak and take alllll the leftovers home because I couldn't afford lot of groceries.

It's super tacky but I wouldn't say anything. Doesn't seem that big of a deal.

[berrysweet]

No, just no.

What an employee eats, how much an employee eats, and where an employee eats it are not performance related issues, and it feels weird to me that you're so concerned about it.

[jeaniebueller]

I don't get why this is a problem. If you want specific people to take leftovers, give it to that person. Community leftovers are for whoever.

[RandZB]

Well, it is already paid for, and it will go to waste. I send leftovers home with teachers after any function, event, or even if there was too much food made for lunch or snack. I take food home myself because it's either that or it goes in the trash. I'd rather people enjoy it.

[memenee]

Would you have preferred the whole, untouched cheesecake get thrown out?

[smock]

I'm just sitting here trying to figure out how no one at your table ate a single bite of cheesecake.

[claudiajean]

The only thing I think is weird is the sofa, so do you really think it's worth hurting her morale over two cans of soda?

Gluten free sweets in my family often aren't eaten much by those who can eat gluten, so Ann might think it will be similar. Also, is it really happening so often that it's a big deal?

This seems like an overreaction.

[cville]

Unless people are going unfed because she's doing this, let it lie. It's tacky, but nearly everyone is tacky about something.

[Leeham Rimes]

So let's pretend nobody takes the cheesecake, what would you have done with served but uneaten cake? You can't re-serve it, at least not in a restaurant type situation.

How exactly does this apply to "how we act at work must be above reproach and does not follow our standards of behavior?"

She's taking leftovers, not selling company secrets.

[Leeham Rimes]

Also. What's the backstory bc you definitely don't like Ann.

[Deleted]

The op used the word entitlement in the first paragraph so, you know. That's how she feels.

[atlas]

Jun 10, 2017 20:25:11 GMT -5 smock said:

I'm just sitting here trying to figure out how no one at your table ate a single bite of cheesecake.

This is absolutely where I am stuck. I just don't understand.   mmmmm...cheesecake.

[cville]

Jun 10, 2017 20:31:10 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

The op used the word entitlement in the first paragraph so, you know. That's how she feels.

People don't like accommodating dietary issues so that's the first strike, I'm sure. Add onto that spiriting away multiple desserts and, well, things like that are def more indicative of the downfall of society than anything 45 has been up to.

[Leeham Rimes]

Jun 10, 2017 20:31:10 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

The op used the word entitlement in the first paragraph so, you know. That's how she feels.

You're so vain, you probably think this pastry is for you.

[Deleted]

There was one young dude in our office who always wanted any leftovers we had from luncheons. All the power to him! Better than to go to waste and I never thought it tacky, more funny. I myself don't like taking it home due to being left out for hours/other people touching it. Would need to post on ML to ensure the food was "safe" to eat. ;-P

Anyways, I bet this was over the course of several months and it is odder that you have made mental note of all of these occurrences than her actually taking them.

[jigsy]

You keep saying you don't care, but you've been keeping tabs, so you care, and youre judging.

[tacokick]

I want to know how he physically took the cake. In his bare hands? On a platter? Surely they didn't provide cake boxes.

[cville]

Jun 10, 2017 20:51:38 GMT -5 tacokick said:

I want to know how he physically took the cake. In his bare hands? On a platter? Surely they didn't provide cake boxes.

Now I'm picturing her shoving it in her purse. Lol!

[daisyn]

I think you need real problems

[atlas]

Jun 10, 2017 20:55:00 GMT -5 cville said:

Jun 10, 2017 20:51:38 GMT -5 tacokick said:

I want to know how he physically took the cake. In his bare hands? On a platter? Surely they didn't provide cake boxes.

Now I'm picturing her shoving it in her purse. Lol!

Well, she has such a "reputation", maybe she brings tupperware to all work events. JIC.

[tacokick]

Jun 10, 2017 20:55:00 GMT -5 cville said:

Jun 10, 2017 20:51:38 GMT -5 tacokick said:

I want to know how he physically took the cake. In his bare hands? On a platter? Surely they didn't provide cake boxes.

Now I'm picturing her shoving it in her purse. Lol!

One time I overheard a woman in the supermarket tell her boyfriend "they said I was trying to steal a cake. How could I steal a cake? I don't even have a pocket."

[VillainV]

This is a weird thing to care about.

[Leeham Rimes]

Jun 10, 2017 20:56:23 GMT -5 daisyn said:

I think you need real problems

Cake pilferers ARE a real problem.

[shamrockshake]

I'll admit I think this is weird too and not something I would do but there's also nothing I'd do about it other than think it's weird every time she did it

[cville]

Jun 10, 2017 20:37:36 GMT -5 Leeham Rimes said:

Jun 10, 2017 20:31:10 GMT -5 HRH Queen Dick I, Orphan said:

The op used the word entitlement in the first paragraph so, you know. That's how she feels.

You're so vain, you probably think this pastry is for you.

I keep rereading this and giggling.

[ilovecandy]

My boss once had an issue with someone over the same thing. And actually addressed it with that person. Awkward and no one cared but the boss, none of the workers cared. My boss also already didn't like this person for.other reasons. So yeh. This will not go go well and find a real problem because honestly this will be viewed as petty if it gets out oung thr workplace you talked to her about this.

[killercupcake]

I work at a school... so this is a normal thing for us. Lol

Who cares?

[jenna]

Meh. Wouldn't bother me so long as she was taking things after everyone had a chance to eat.

[mooselovah]

Why does your company over order food so much.

Also, would your reprimand someone who ate the whole cheesecake at the dinner? No. Because you don't police food.

Is she tacky -- yes.

[miso]

Is she your direct report? If so, it's probably best not to bring it up because, while tacky, it is not forbidden, and it has no bearing on her performance or work product.

A peer, however, might be able to mention that such behavior looks bad and could color management's general opinion of her, even though there is nothing "technically" wrong with her actions.

At one of my old jobs, there was a woman who had a terrible reputation for doing just this. Sometimes she would take entire platters home. She kept Tupperware at work for the specific purpose of hoarding leftovers. She would even cruise by different parts of the floor, looking for uneaten food from events to which she was not invited. It was pretty amazing.