Workplace: Office Refrigerator Etiquette - Get The Rules

Want tips and advice on how to keep people from stealing your lunch, and the rules to good office refrigerator (and coffe pot) ettiquette? This one’s for you:

* Label your food. You can’t expect other people to know it’s yours if you don’t label it clearly.

* Don’t take anything that doesn’t have your name on it.

* Be generous. Bring extra food to share now and then. If you cook, bring in a plate of cookies and leave a note out — Happy Thursday, courtesy of Your Name. Or bring a six pack of water bottles or sodas and place the same note on it.

* Clean up your old food. Don’t leave stuff that’s yours in the refrigerator. Rotten stuff smells bad.

* If you take the last cup of coffee, make a fresh pot of coffee.

* Wash your cup out, don’t just leave it in the sink.

* Thank anyone who does something nice for you in the kitchen with a note that everyone can see. If someone dumps the trash you forgot to dump, leave a note that says — Thanks for cleaning up after me when I forgot! You’ll inspire like acts.

* Be mindful of smelly food. Don’t bring it everyday if you really have to have it, or order it and eat it at a restaurant out of the office kitchen.