Don’t act like you don’t know what we’re talking about. The office fridge is a vital source of daily sustenance, snacks and treats that keep you and your colleagues going, yet it can also be a source of serious contention. When it comes to fridge etiquette, more often than not, someone will be letting the side down. So we’ve jotted down 5 tips to help you avoid all the upset that goes along with the office fridge. Feel free to send this onto whoever you think needs to hear it.

1 That’s my spot

If you’ve been in a job long enough, you’ll know there are certain things you don’t do. One, you don’t use Sheila’s parking space and two; you don’t take Sheila’s spot in the fridge. Come to think of it, HR should check on Sheila, very territorial altogether. But for an easy life and to stop “accidental” lunch swaps, it’s best to have your spot in the fridge and stick with it. Try and save this space and try to only use items that will fit in this space, if possible.

2 Eat what you bring in

We’ve all been there. Its Sunday night, you’ve finally got around to doing the prep work and you have that visually amazing and healthy salad all good to go. There’s just one problem. Dave from accounts has a hot chicken roll from that deli you love and now you also have a hot chicken roll from that deli you love. The poor salad will forever remain in your spot in the fridge. Wrong, this is where you own up to your salad loathing self, walk into the canteen and dump the unwanted greens.

3 Was that yours?

This really should be a given: you only eat what you have put in the fridge and what belongs to you. Don’t turn your office into a place where you have to label food (although we do have a fantastic labelling machine that can help with that, click here to check it out) only eat what is yours, technically, it’s stealing and I will file a report Sheila.

If you have to, notes placed on foods can help – just labelling the food with the owners name can work wonders. Sometimes a joke might do the trick. Maybe something like: knock knock | who’s there? | Not Sheila’s | Not Sheila’s who? | Not Sheila’s sandwich, now please stop taking my food!

Very effective.

4 Clean up

A cleaning rota helps to ensure timely, organised cleaning, and prevents the same people always having to take responsibility for the fridge’s cleanliness and hygiene. Nobody wants to do it but if we all have to do it then the job will get done. Also, a once a month clean out that discards orphaned or out of date foods should take place with all staff members on the rota list.

5 Discuss “violations” with your colleagues

Okay, we get it. Just like you, we really don’t want to bring it up with Dave from accounts about the half finished chicken roll in the fridge since last Monday (or is that mine?) but the only way to stop arguments is to mention it at that moment so that the problem doesn’t persist. Act considerately and keep to the basic rules. In the case of repeat offenders, sanctions might need to be taken. Penalties for violators could include: making tea/coffee for the team or extra cleaning duties.

Someone in your office probably needs to hear this, send it to your colleges, and share it on social media. It will make the workplace better for all and if someone has sent you this article, well…you know what to do.