Is this stealing?

[thinkerbell]

At my work, the cafeteria manager makes coffee for all teachers and staff that want it. It doesn't cost anything and they also provide little things of creamer and sugar/Splenda/equal. I like a certain kind of coffee so I make my own in my room. I normally keep a bottle of creamer in my fridge but if I run out, I will go by the cafeteria and grab a few creamers to use in my coffee. I really didn't think anything of it since coffee is free to all until she said something to my husband, who also works there, about some people getting the creamers and sugars and putting them in their pocket. I'm sure she was talking about me because I usually put the creamer in my jacket pocket because I have other things in my hands. I don't get sugar...maybe someone else does it too. I am definitely not going to do it this school year since she obviously thinks it is not right. I feel a little guilty now. Do you think it was stealing? Should I apologize?

 

[Minnesota!]

At my work, the cafeteria manager makes coffee for all teachers and staff that want it. It doesn't cost anything and they also provide little things of creamer and sugar/Splenda/equal. I like a certain kind of coffee so I make my own in my room. I normally keep a bottle of creamer in my fridge but if I run out, I will go by the cafeteria and grab a few creamers to use in my coffee. I really didn't think anything of it since coffee is free to all until she said something to my husband, who also works there, about some people getting the creamers and sugars and putting them in their pocket. I'm sure she was talking about me because I usually put the creamer in my jacket pocket because I have other things in my hands. I don't get sugar...maybe someone else does it too. I am definitely not going to do it this school year since she obviously thinks it is not right. I feel a little guilty now. Do you think it was stealing? Should I apologize?

I don't think it is stealing. I do the same thing. Bring coffee from home and should I be out at home of creamer, I add it here from my café.

 

[smiths02]

It is not stealing if you are just taking the amount you would use if you drank her coffee. (I'm assuming the cafeteria manager doesn't pay for this herself...at my schools, the ones that don't charge at least, it is a PTO or principal paid for thing)

 

[Hikergirl]

If is something is offered for free then it can't really be stealing. You are a employee, and that stuff is put out for employees.

Now, if someone is taking handfuls each day and bringing it home to use that is one thing, but just taking some sugar packets and creamer for your cup of coffee while there, no way is that stealing.

 

[usnuzuloose]

If it were me, I would just ask her if she thinks it is wrong to take it. If so I would apologize and move on. But that is just me.

 

[CarolAnn856]

No, I don't consider that stealing, since you are using the same amount you would if you were drinking the coffee offered for free to staff.

I would feel the same if, for example, you brought in a burger from home, heated it up, and used ketchup from the cafeteria.

 

[soccerdad72]

If is something is offered for free then it can't really be stealing. You are a employee, and that stuff is put out for employees.

Now, if someone is taking handfuls each day and bringing it home to use that is one thing, but just taking some sugar packets and creamer for your cup of coffee while there, no way is that stealing.

I agree with this - I'd put sugar and creamer in the same category with salt or ketchup packets, which are kept out for all to use. Loading up a bag and taking it home would be improper, but using one or two during the course of the day is fine.

We actually had to adjust what we kept in our first aid supply boxes a couple years ago, limiting it to the basic ibuprofen and bandages because they found that when they supplied some of the other more expensive medicines, like allergy and cold meds, those kept having to get replenished every week. It was assumed that people were taking many of them home each day and it was costing us thousands of extra $$ every year.

 

[Disneylover99]

No. You are not stealing. It just appears that you are, from the cafeteria manager's perspective, because she probably doesn't realize you make your own coffee away from others. There's no need for you to apologize. You've not done anything wrong. Just set her straight.

 

[NHdisneylover]

NO, it's not stealing.
That said, I think the issue is that you take several back to your room rather than just taking your coffee to that central place nad adding in the creamer you want right then. if you ahd been putting creamer into your cofeee instead of your pocket I doubt anyone would care at all

 

[hereyago]

No, not stealing. I wouldn't give it or or the cafeteria manager another thought.

If she finally gets enough guts to say something directly to you, then ask her if she is paying for everything out of her pocket and if not, then everything supplied is for everyone.

 

[NFLDERS]

I agree with this - I'd put sugar and creamer in the same category with salt or ketchup packets, which are kept out for all to use. Loading up a bag and taking it home would be improper, but using one or two during the course of the day is fine.

We actually had to adjust what we kept in our first aid supply boxes a couple years ago, limiting it to the basic ibuprofen and bandages because they found that when they supplied some of the other more expensive medicines, like allergy and cold meds, those kept having to get replenished every week. It was assumed that people were taking many of them home each day and it was costing us thousands of extra $$ every year.

TP was the most "Taken" item where, and when I worked... sigh!

 

[marcyleecorgan]

I agree with everyone else. If you're only taking the creamers that you will be drinking with work coffee, that's no big deal unless a manager sends A Threatening Email.

If......... you were sneaking a container into the break room and filling it up, then taking the container HOME? Ok, that would be stealing!

Coffee is just rented water anyway. In about 20 minutes you have to go to the bathroom and return it back... So it's not stealing, maybe just consuming for personal use? LOL

 

[xlxo]

I'm going to be the lone wolf and say YES. Especially if it's frequent if it happens by more than one person.

Cafeteria prices are low for a reason. But as the number of people who do it increases, the cafeteria prices go up. If you need a few packets.... drop a dime in the tip jar for each one.

 

[sam_gordon]

My only question is where does the money come from for the cafeteria coffee, cream, and sugar? If people who drink that coffee usually put in a dollar a week or otherwise contribute to a fund, and you don't, I can see how she would consider it stealing. If the coffee, cream, and sugar are provided by the PTO (or the principal, or cafeteria manager) for use by all employees, it's not stealing.

 

[bcla]

Doesn't sound like it as long as it's used at work.

Now I have heard of some stuff that's sort of toeing the line. Like someone at a workplace where beverages are provided for everyone - employees, contractors, and guests. Someone I know supposedly poached soft drinks one or two at a time over a few weeks to supply a party at home. And this is someone making a decent six-figure income and could afford to buy a couple of 12 packs of Coke.

I mentioned on another thread that I saw someone at an event looking at the supply table for stuff that he might take home. He ended up taking a box of Ziploc bags, but it was pretty apparent to anyone where he got it. I think someone noticed it and made him give it back without calling the cops.

Sure there's always the fine line. If I grab a bunch of napkins at McDonald's, I can't just shove them back in the dispenser. At that point taking it home isn't a big deal. However, I also see a lot of petty stuff going on, like the homeless guy who grabs a water cup and starts filling it with a soft drink. I've even heard of people grabbing toilet paper to take home. In China most public restrooms don't have toilet paper for free. You either have to buy it or bring your own. Those that do have problems with people taking toilet paper away in bags to use at home. I heard of one that even installed a facial recognition system to dispense toilet paper.

 

[bcla]

I'm going to be the lone wolf and say YES. Especially if it's frequent if it happens by more than one person.

Cafeteria prices are low for a reason. But as the number of people who do it increases, the cafeteria prices go up. If you need a few packets.... drop a dime in the tip jar for each one.

At a school cafeteria? I don't think most teachers and school staff eat in cafeterias. It sounds like the cafeteria manager makes coffee for the teachers and staff though. I'm guessing it's provided at the school's expense.

Provided coffee is pretty standard stuff. I think at my old high school the teacher break rooms all had their own coffee makers. However, with these things it's a matter of who the heck is willing to actually make the coffee and clean up. Some places where I've worked, there were few people willing to do that, but plenty willing to drink the coffee if it was already prepared.

 

[Disney_traveler]

No, not stealing at all. What I consider stealing is the following I HAVE seen in our teacher breakroom:

---coworker that takes large thermos and empties coffee pot into it and doesn't start another (even though he has a Keurig in his classroom)
---student organization had out bananas and "thanks a bunch" sign.....teacher caught taking 13 bananas at once

 

[CarolAnn856]

I'm going to be the lone wolf and say YES. Especially if it's frequent if it happens by more than one person.

Cafeteria prices are low for a reason. But as the number of people who do it increases, the cafeteria prices go up. If you need a few packets.... drop a dime in the tip jar for each one.

The coffee, cream, and sugar are provided at no cost. I suppose the OP could always take coffee and cream and then just pour out the coffee, but that seems a bit silly, no? And I don't believe I've ever see a tip jar at a school cafeteria, lol.

 

[NotUrsula]

I think it may be that her feelings are hurt that you apparently don't like her coffee. That she said something to your husband and not to you makes me think that she already views you with a wee bit of suspicion. What I would do is be friendly to the woman and, in the course of conversation, let her know that you make your own, not because "I like a certain kind", but put it on yourself why you can't normally make it down to the cafeteria to get some at the usual time, or tell her that you drink tea and didn't want to trouble her to make that, too. Then you can bring up the subject of it's being OK if you take a few packets back to the classroom for later use there?, and offer to contribute to the coffee kitty as well. 5 will get you 10 she won't give you the stink eye after that, especially if you manage to compliment her cooking while you are at it.

FWIW, where I work the natives are notorious for their expensive taste in coffee. Our cafe offers a mini-Starbucks at slightly reduced prices, but no coffee is available free here except if there is a meeting. The cafe mgr is a friend of mine, and he told me it is the coffee that is far and away the expensive part; the additives cost almost nothing.

 

[hereyago]

I think it may be that her feelings are hurt that you apparently don't like her coffee. That she said something to your husband and not to you makes me think that she already views you with a wee bit of suspicion. What I would do is be friendly to the woman and, in the course of conversation, let her know that you make your own, not because "I like a certain kind", but put it on yourself why you can't normally make it down to the cafeteria to get some at the usual time, or tell her that you drink tea and didn't want to trouble her to make that, too. Then you can bring up the subject of it's being OK if you take a few packets back to the classroom for later use there?, and offer to contribute to the coffee kitty as well. 5 will get you 10 she won't give you the stink eye after that, especially if you manage to compliment her cooking while you are at it.

If the Cafeteria Manager has insecurities, that isn't the OP's problem.

I,myself wouldnt do all that listed above so she wouldnt be butt hurt.