Short kitchen guidelines settle most disputes about dirty mugs and a full fridge. Here are the points worth including.
Good office kitchen guidelines fit on one page and answer five questions: who washes the dishes, what happens with the fridge, how to use the coffee device, where waste goes, and who to tell about faults. The shorter they are, the more likely people will read them.
Sample points
- Wash your mug right away or put it in the dishwasher.
- Label your food in the fridge; the fridge is cleared out on Fridays.
- Wipe the counter after making coffee.
- Empty a full grounds bin right away.
- Report faults to the person in charge of the kitchen.
How to introduce the rules
Talk them through at a team meeting before the sheet goes up. Rules agreed together work better than rules announced by email.
Fewer coffee chores
Some chores disappear when a supplier handles cleaning and restocking, as with a serviced coffee vending machine (publisher's site).
FAQ
Who should enforce the rules? Ideally the office manager, backed by a team rota.
How often should we update the guidelines? When the equipment or kitchen layout changes.