How to Share a Lunchroom With Co-Workers

You may be a diverse mix of unique individuals, but as an office, you do have some things in common, and one of them is most likely where you eat lunch. Every work space has its own limitations on space. Some have opulent dining areas staffed with contracted "food service" people. Others have a tiny tiled room with a microwave, an old icebox, and a few rickety tables. In any case, some basic considerations will help you to all sit down to daily bread in peace.

Instructions

1. Clean up after yourself. The first and most important rule of respecting co-workers is to be tidy. No leaving dirty dishes on the table, food residue in the microwave, or steadily rotting compost in the refrigerator. The cleanliness rule applies to all workplace areas, but most of all to the place where you get your daily respite from the grind: the lunchroom. Be neat, or your co-workers will remind you: your mother doesn't work here.

2. Keep noise and personal stuff to a minimum. Rallying for the local sports team with your mini-television or play-by-play device will annoy other workers in the room, as well as personal displays of affection between you and your "work-squeeze." Be attentive to what's happening around you. Avoid airing your personal phone calls, especially dramatic ones, in the lunchroom. Yes, time is limited, but you can always step outside.

3. Work with tight space. If you feel there just aren't enough chairs, and your miserly HR department can't or won't do anything about it, try to establish informal "shifts" for lunch. Some people like to eat earlier, and some save lunch for a reward toward the end of the day. Avoid having everyone rush out at noon, tables can get really crammed. Use good lunch-time planning to get the most out of the space you have.

4. Make "reservations" for special events. Try to work with department supervisors to allow one group or team to use the lunchroom or other work space for a one-time activity like a party or meeting. Again, this shouldn't be taken too seriously, but rather, it should be an informal attempt to keep workers out of each other's hair if limited space becomes an issue.

5. Avoid territorial disputes. Okay, so you are the second floor staff, and the first floor people are staking out your nice new microwave or nifty lunch chairs. Even if they have their own lunch room, if you share a building, you really share all of your facilities. Don't rush to make issues out of "jurisdictions;" an us vs. them mentality will only lead to more problems.

Tips & Warnings

• Use all available space. If the weather's good, some people may want to dine outside. Supervisors should try to facilitate this by putting in tables or other conveniences.

• Mix it up. Having occasional "mixers" with all of the office's departments is a great way to keep territorial perceptions at bay, and can be a good break from the daily grind.