Office kitchens can be ground zero for workplace tension. From funky fridge smells, to the mystery of the disappearing lunch – poor kitchen etiquette can turn a shared space into a battleground.
For employers, a messy kitchen hurts productivity, looks bad to clients, and makes your office feel like it’s gathering mould. For employees, it’s about basic respect – to each other, and to your company.
So, let’s settle this once and for all. Here’s the ultimate guide to office kitchen etiquette, covering the cardinal sins of the office kitchen, who’s responsible for big messes – and some pro tips for employers (we’ll show you how to enforce rules without drama).
The office kitchen hall of shame: top offences
We’ve encountered many, many strange things in office kitchens… But there are some more common than others. And if there’s one bone of contention harder to pick than any other, it’s “who made that smell?!”…
1. The fish microwave assassin
Fish (and similarly pungent foods like eggs or curry) can linger for hours, creating a biohazard-level stench to those who are sensitive to it. And okay, fish lovers – we get it, you love salmon. So do we, to be fair. But the office does not. So save fish for home, where you can enjoy it judgement-free! And if you absolutely must have your fish or curry at work, try it cold instead of nuking it (and leaving everyone else in the fallout!).
2. The “someone else will clean it” mindset
Spilled coffee? Crumbs everywhere? Leaving it “for the cleaners” isn’t fair. It’s actually a cop-out, and your poor colleagues will end up picking up the slack. Nobody’s too busy to wipe surfaces after they’ve used them, sweep up crumbs, or tend to their own messes as they’re made.
3. The phantom dish menace
Loading a dishwasher isn’t rocket science. But somehow, some office workers act like it is! Plates piled up in a sink might be okay when the dishwasher’s running, but you know what’s better? Just washing up when you’ve finished… And if your office doesn’t have a dishwasher, it’s all on you anyway.
4. The food thief
The most heinous office crime, with countless Reddit threads to prove it. If it’s not yours, don’t eat it. Some people have allergies or food restrictions, and stealing their food is not on. “It’s just a splodge of mayo!” you might think – but if you’re doing it every day, it’s not fair.
Employers: communal condiments and spreads might be a good idea to consider adding to the petty cash spend – like for milk and coffee – to help keep the peace.
Employees: if you need to be sure that your meals will be safe, label your lunches clearly. For repeat offenders, invest in a lunchbox lock, or seek HR intervention. Sounds harsh, but it’s real theft, and if it keeps happening, could be seen as harassment.
5. The fridge hoarder
We get that some things get forgotten in the back of a fridge. We’ve all pulled something that used to be food out of our own fridges at some point, right? But in the office kitchen, the effect is magnified. And that 3-month-old yoghurt in the office fridge isn’t getting any fresher.
Read more: This is the PERFECT Office Fridge Clean-Out Email to Send to Staff
You’ve got to be a bit brutal sometimes. So employers: schedule monthly fridge purges. And employees: take your leftovers home.
Whose job is it to clean?
If you have regular office cleaners, they’ll obviously spend a good amount of time cleaning your office kitchen – but they might not come every day, and if you’ve had a big spill or busy lunchtime, the kitchen can get messy fast.
So, who should be sorting it? The answer is: everyone…
Employers’ responsibilities
Employers, you need to provide adequate cleaning supplies – like sponges, washing up liquid, and paper towels – just the basics to clean up spills and stains. You should also arrange professional cleans (be they weekly or more frequent) and set clear policies around fridge clearouts and dish washing.
Employees’ responsibilities
Employees, it’s really easy: just clean as you go. Wipe counters, clean the microwave splatter, and sweep up your crumbs. Pitch in when you can with washing up and doing the bins – and report issues when you find them.
If you really have to run to a meeting or something, and have to leave a mess, just tell someone. Don’t let it just land in someone’s lap – ask for help, and get your colleague back when they need a hand.
How can employers enforce kitchen rules (without being the baddie)?
Make your kitchen policies obvious. Put up signs by sinks (you can make them fun!), and include kitchen rules in the employee handbook.
Lead by example – and train everyone to do the same. If it’s okay for managers to leave dirty mugs everywhere, then it’s okay for staff, too. Except, it’s not okay for anyone to do it! Publicly praise tidy teams, because positive reinforcement works, and keep your end of the bargain.
Make things easier where you can. If people are constantly getting upset about dirty microwaves, a £3 splatter cover will save you hours every week. Keep disposable wipes on hand for quickly mopping up spills. Put a calendar on the fridge, with the next clearout marked on it.
Little things can make a big difference.
Read more: Office Kitchen Cleaning: The Ultimate Guide
Most kitchen conflicts boil down to one thing: consideration. Employers who set clear expectations, and employees who clean up after themselves create a space everyone can enjoy.
And for everything else? There’s us!
Office kitchen cleaning for busy teams
Keep your office kitchen looking, smelling, and feeling fresh – with regular, professional office cleaning from The Abbey Cleaning Service. Call 029 2067 9323 today, and find out how we’ll help get your office kitchen clean, without disrupting your work day.
