Worker brought his personal microwave to the office

Workplace Microwave Drama

Workplace dynamics can get pretty interesting, often leading to unexpected situations. Take, for instance, the office restroom. It’s usually a casual spot for colleagues to share a quick meal or grab a coffee—a brief escape from the daily grind.

A certain employee, however, found himself quite frustrated. His frustration led him to not only bring in his own microwave but also lock it up, as the company’s appliance was often out of order. There seems to be a good reason for that.

In a post on Reddit’s R/Ita Forum, he questioned whether he was in the wrong for his actions. The original poster, who works as a shuttle driver, mentioned that he and about twenty others often shared the break room. With so many people using the same microwave, it’s no wonder it kept breaking.

“They broke new things in one day, but we are no longer permitted to use them in the temporary office and won’t get replacements until they are damaged,” he explained in his post.

He highlighted that, with only one microwave available for the drivers, he decided to bring in his own. And before doing so, he even asked if anyone wanted to pitch in for a shared appliance.

Frustration among the employees reached a point where they decided to lock their newly purchased microwave. The worker clarified that he took this step because he wanted to protect his investment, especially since no one else seemed keen on footing the bill for a new one.

A lot of comments on his post were supportive, with many agreeing that he wasn’t trying to win any popularity points with his coworkers.

“It’s technically not an asshole move, but the perception may not be great among your colleagues,” advised one commenter.

“You just put the lazy co-worker on notice, that’s all,” another chimed in.

Sure, some might be annoyed by his actions, but others seem more preoccupied with the numerous tedious meetings cluttering their schedules.

According to an article in Harvard Business Review, many employees report feeling a “meeting hangover” after wasteful gatherings. This concept suggests that a poorly-run meeting lingers, detracting from productivity and overall morale.