QUICK GUIDE: 7 RULES FOR OFFICE KITCHEN

The office kitchen/break room often can be home to a variety of germs, mold and chaotic mess. A set of office kitchen rules, as well as clearly stated workplace kitchen etiquette, can keep the germs at bay and clutter tamed. If you use the office kitchen, it is your responsibility to return it to its original condition when you are done. The office kitchen is “where a lot of passive-aggression gets worked out,”- by Karla Miller; The Washington Post Magazine’s @Work Advice columnist. Follow a few simple office kitchen etiquette tips to help keep the office kitchen clean and a peaceful harmony among your coworkers. We at ZenfuCareer; https://www.facebook.com/zenfucareer/ and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJcwdgNwh8lvElI4DGZtEuw , feel it is necessary to highlight some kitchen etiquette for your office use. 

1.     Office Microwave Care 101

Along with the refrigerator, the microwave is one of the most-used appliances in the office kitchen.  It gets food hot, fast and it does not automatically clean itself after each use. Wipe down the inside of the microwave after use, leaving it clean and ready for the next person. Most people are in a rush at lunch so don’t start heating your food and walk away, stay until it’s pinged so you don’t hold up the next person wanting to use it. Be sure to wipe down the inside and the handle if it gets splattered or greasy. Always reset the microwave controls when finished. Never leave your food on the microwave and never fail to let the appropriate person know when it gets broken.

2.     Manage the refrigerator

Do well to wipe any food or water spillage in the refrigerator before it runs down to the floor. Contrary to popular belief, the food in the company’s refrigerator is not fair game. It's always a good idea to label your lunch to avoid any confusion as to which items belong to which person, especially if you have food allergies. Make sure you mark it as yours. If you bring in goodies for everyone to share, label them as such. If you haven’t eaten your lunch that day, take it home with you; don’t leave it for someone else to dispose of. Equally, if there is rotting food in the fridge, dispose of it even if it doesn’t belong to you. Remember to shut the refrigerator properly and keep a box of baking soda or other odor absorber in the fridge at all times. Pay attention and comply with any fridge clean-out policies.

3.     Clean up after yourself

Don’t leave wrappers, empty cups or other trash on the counter. Wipe up spills, splatters, crumbs and condensation. Cleaning up after yourself is not only respectful and displays good manners; it also contributes to maintaining a clean and sanitary environment. Clean up any mess you’ve made whilst cooking or eating too, that includes wiping up excess water around the sink. Any food or liquids spilled on the floor could pose as a safety hazard and you don’t want your co-workers injured in the kitchen because you didn’t mop up.

4.     Do your dishes and cups

It is best practice to wash up and dry your dishes and tea/coffee cups as soon as you are done with them. Don’t just pile them into the sink even if you work in an office that has a cleaner, do not leave your dirty dishes in the sink for somebody else to wash later. No, you are not more important than the secretary, and the secretary isn’t paid to clean up after your kitchen mess.

5.     Refill when possible

We all know how frustrating it is to reach for the teabags only to find they’ve all gone. If you use the last of something such as sugar, coffee, teabags, paper towel, plastic utensils, replace them straight away or notify your office manager if there are no refills available. In time, you will find a situation where you are grateful someone else took the time to restock.

6.     Only eat/drink what is yours

Could there be anything worse than heading to the lunchroom after a hectic morning to have a bite of last night's delicious leftovers, only to find out that they are gone?  Who could betray you in such a way?  You sure wouldn't be happy if someone ate your lunch, so do not touch your coworker's food!  No matter how thirsty you are, pass on the coworker's soda and go for the water cooler instead. 

7.     Be mindful of the trash can

For the trashcans. Don't overstuff the trash bin. If it's full, bag it up or contact the office manager who in turn can alert the janitorial staff. Employees and staff who can keep the daily clutter and mess to a minimum in the office kitchen help lower the risk of spreading germs.

A little courtesy goes a long way at the office. When in doubt about kitchen policies, ask the person in charge of setting and posting them. The overarching guideline for kitchen etiquette is to be respectful of the kitchen and co-worker’s belongings. When you use the last of something, always replace it - from napkins to stir sticks and plastic utensils. Remember: there’s no “mom” to clean up after you, so do it yourself – and do everybody in the office a favor. Following these general guidelines will surely keep the office kitchen or break room a Zen area that everyone in the office will look forward to entering.

Do you have a workplace kitchen, and do people use it in a courteous manner? We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or join the discussion on https://www.facebook.com/zenfucareer/