Workplace Lunch Dilemma

I work in a very small business--between 5 and 8 employees. One of my co-workers, who I will call D, NEVER offers to do the "lunch run." There aren't many of us, so it's become customary that if someone goes out, they offer to bring back food for the others. Three out of four of us consistently take turns, as it should be. D, however, has not once gone to pick up the food, yet she always orders something. It's even gotten to the point where, when the rest of us are busy and haven't started thinking about lunch plans yet, D will chime in with "So what did we decide about lunch?" Not, "Oh, I'll go today!," but instead hinting for someone else to go get food for her.

The obvious solution would be to bring a lunch, I'm aware of this, and I do bring food from home most days. On the days when I'm just too swamped to grab something from home, I have honestly grown to dread having to leave for lunch because I'm so sick of D's un-cooperative behavior.

Does anyone have any advice? D's not my favorite person to begin with, and this is just adding fuel to the fire. Thanks in advance!

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Permalink Reply by Marin Shanley on December 14, 2011 at 1:59pm

Absolutely! Design a spreadsheet that you post in the office break room or anywhere that all frequent and where it won't interfere with work. On it are listed the names of all who opt in for "lunch run." You can make this cute & fun and actually pass around the spreadsheet with blanks for others to put their names. Those who opt in can order lunch when it's another's turn to fetch it, but you must also be listed as go-fer on a regular, rotating basis. Just introduce it as a fun, fair way to get everyone organized.

I hope that helps...

Marin

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Permalink Reply by Shelly Gahagan on January 3, 2012 at 11:04pm

Yes I do have advice for you...the next time she ask's about lunch say "Yes I would like something, where are you going?" Be firm. Look her in the eyes when you say it so she knows you mean business. Bully's are only bully's as long as they are allowed to be.

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Permalink Reply by Holly Heller on January 9, 2012 at 10:41am

If she wasn't your favorite person before, I'd pretty much hate her at this point. If you leave for lunch, don't offer. If she asks why you didn't grab lunch for everyone, tell her you met a friend for lunch, or you had to run some errands, or oops, didn't think of it.

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Permalink Reply by Nicole on January 12, 2012 at 1:14pm

Thank you Marin, Shelly, Holly and Michelle for your very helpful advice! It means a lot that you all took the time to respond. I've made it my "unofficial" New Year's resolution to bring my lunch to work everyday--it's healthier and cheaper, win win! I've kept it up so far, and, barring unforeseen circumstances, I plan on sticking with the habit. I can honestly say, though, that D has gone more than one day without lunch since New Year's... I simply cannot imagine starving all day due to sheer laziness (she has a car, and there are plenty of places within walking distance too). Oh well, her choice ;) Thanks again!