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Food

Here are the questions filed under this category. To read Ken's advice on any item, click on the link "Read Ken's Answer."


Among other responsibilities, I am supposed to bring coffee to my boss every morning, and serve coffee during his meetings. I like my work, and I wouldn't mind helping out and bringing coffee once in a while, but I resent having this as part of my job. Is this a common problem?
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In the past few weeks, I have spilled coffee three times in my office. One of the spills ruined a keyboard, and the others simply stained the carpet a little. My boss told me that if I have one more spill, he is going to fire me. I'll do my best not to have another accident, but isn't his reaction a little over the top? How should I deal with him?
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Sometimes employees in our department bring in home-cooked food so we can share more about our customs and cultures. One of my co-workers brought in a dish that was filled with spices and vegetables that I cannot stand. When I would not eat it, there were a few comments about my being prejudiced. Nothing could be further from the truth. What do I do?
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Five of us work in a satellite office, and we are rarely included in any of the social events in the home office that is only about 20 minutes away. We have asked to be included at birthdays, retirements, and such, but we are usually forgotten. How do we get them to remember us?
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As general manager, I want to make sure that I stay on top of the employees' attitudes and interests, so I hold an open meeting in the afternoons on the last Friday of each month. I am always surprised at the low attendance in these meetings. What are some ways to get more people to come?
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We just had a business lunch meeting at a very noisy restaurant. I think I heard about half of what was being said, and now I've got to track people down to find out what I am supposed to be doing. This is not the first time we have met at this restaurant, and it's a waste. I should say the food is great. What's the point of these meetings?
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Our company used to put out donuts for the employees, and most of us thought these were great snacks. About a month ago, management suddenly switched to fresh fruits. We want the donuts back. What should we do?
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The president of our company emailed an article to all the supervisors and managers about the importance of eating properly and getting exercise. I don't mind getting an article about supervisory techniques, but I resented this. I don't think he should be advising us on what to eat or how to exercise. Should I say something to him?
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One of our senior managers went to a management seminar and was told that carbohydrates cause the brain to produce serotonin, and that reduces stress. Now he is putting out high carbohydrate snacks such as crackers, pretzels, and chips. What do you think of this as a way to reduce job stress?
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When I hold a meeting, I expect people to pay attention, and I am convinced that when they are sitting there and chewing gum, that does not happen. There is a reason why children are not allowed to chew gum in school, and I think it applies to the place of work. I want to insist that people refrain from chewing gum in my meetings. What do you think?
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I work in a call center, and almost every week our manager brings in candies, cookies, and bakery goods to reward us for our hard work. I have to lose weight, so I stay away from all of it, and this means I don't get an award. I don't want to sound like an ingrate, but is there a way to ask her for something different?
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I go to lunch once or twice a week with several co-workers, and one always criticizes what I order and says I eat too much fat, sugar, salt, and greasy foods. He says he is giving me friendly advice, but I don't want it and I have mentioned this to him several times. That does not stop him. Any suggestions?
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It seems that every week or so, there is another reason to have a party and a cake in my department. I am on a low-carb diet, and I have been accused of being antisocial because I do not eat any cake. What should I do about this?
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I was at lunch with a new employee in my department, and I noticed that when his entrÈe arrived, he put salt on it, but did not taste it first to see if it needed any. I heard this is a sign of a person who does not carefully analyze new situations, but just jumps in and does what he did in the past. What do you think?
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When three of us finished our individual interviews with a strong applicant, we took him to lunch. During the meal, one of my colleagues asked him many personal questions, especially about his family. The applicant answered them, but I think he was a little shocked. Afterwards, I told my colleague that these types of questions should not be asked, and he said that since this was an informal lunch and not a real interview, he could ask whatever he wants. Is that right?
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I have an employee who is always eating or nibbling on something. He is not overweight, but if I meet with him in his office or if we have departmental meetings, he always has some food. Granted that it is not necessarily junk food, I have to wonder why he does this. My concern is that it is going to interfere with his work and even cause a problem with ants. What should I say to him?
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Management puts out a spread of cookies and donuts every Friday. I have told my manager that it is not healthy to eat all this fat and sugar, and the company should put out fruits instead. My manager said this was tried in the past and the employees were not happy. What do you suggest?
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My daughter is having a problem with a co-worker. My daughter is overweight and was eating a lunch her boyfriend made for her. The co-worker commented that the cookie my daughter had was "certainly not low fat," and she made a similar comment today. How should my daughter approach this?
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My job is very stressful, and when I’m stressed, I feel like I can’t stop eating. I don’t know how to properly deal with all the pressure at work. Any suggestions?
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I have a manager that often comes in late to our meetings and brings something to eat...just for herself. I've never seen anything like it...she crunches, munches & scrapes the bottom of the cup/bowls, etc while we sit there & watch. Then... she excuses herself to go to the restroom...sometimes multiple times. Again, while we sit there & wait for her. Have you ever seen or heard of anything like this? She is wasting so much of our time. Everyone else in our small group seems to be used to it - I am the newest member of the team and hate to just ask 'what the hell?' In my early days there, I asked another team member if that was the norm, and she said yes - but she didn't understand it. Bringing a beverage, maybe, but to assemble and spread, etc.? Do I sit & say nothing? Do I take something to eat and assemble it myself while waiting to see if it distracts her? Comments?
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