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Some jobs don’t make it very easy to sneak in a lunch break…or any break at all.

For example, I used to work for a catering company. We worked long days and nights and it was rare that I ever actually sat down to eat a proper meal…

So I’d snack throughout the day when I could. We called it “grazing…”

But I digress: a worker opened up about why they’re frustrated that their lunch plans aren’t clear at their new job.

Get all the details below and see what you think.

Can they actually tell me not to eat my lunch?

“I’m just starting a new job at the front desk of a business office.

I’ve been getting very thorough training for the last month but I’m still confused about my lunch break.

Hmmm…that’s strange…

This is because whenever I ask about it, I get confusing replies. This is odd to me since everything else they are training me on is very meticulous with clear instructions and systems in place for everything!

But as to my breaks, I’ve been told nothing except when I’ve asked. I feel stupid asking in fact because one response I got was “everyone here just eats at their desk” which I really don’t want to do.

They’re not crazy about that idea…

I prefer to get away from my desk and have a proper lunch break because this is supposed to be the time for me to relax and maybe even socialize and get to know my other coworkers who are taking their lunch at the same time.

Not only this, but, eating at my desk conflicts with my position because since I sit at the entryway, everyone sees me. When I mention this, I’m told yes I can eat there at my desk but not to be seen eating if a client is coming in. I basically have to tuck my food away when clients come in, and I get this.

This place has a lot of rules…

I’ve also been told not to bring in a “smelly” lunch (no clear definition of what that might be was given other than tuna or salmon smells). More specifically they said the air shouldn’t be lingering with the aroma when a client comes in.

Okay.

So this is weird, which means to be on the safe side, I’ll just steer clear of cooking and eating lunches around clients. Check.

Doh!

But guess who loves to schedule almost ALL of her in-person meetings between 11:00 – 1:30?

The main boss.

I’m not feeling comfortable enough to assert how preposterous this all seems, plus I’m not even sure if they can dictate how I spend my personal lunch time… can they?

Except for this one annoyance, I really love this job and the people I’m working with.

Do I just suck it up (but not while a client is watching)?”

Let’s see what Reddit users had to say about this.

This person had a lot to say.

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Another Reddit user weighed in.

This individual shared their thoughts.

And another reader had a lot to say.

Well, this doesn’t sound very good.

You gotta have lunch so you can have the energy to get through the second half of the workday!

She should say something about this so she can get a clear answer.

Eating lunch at an office never sounded so confusing…

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Author

Matthew Gilligan