If you're fed up with the piles of dirty dishes in the break room or kitchen at your office, you've got loads of company. In a 2010 survey by staffing service OfficeTeam, 44 percent of American workers identified making messes for others to clean up as the most annoying behavior in company break rooms.
"Since the kitchen is a common space, some workers may believe it's someone else's responsibility to keep it clean and organized," said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam.
In many cases, it's everybody's responsibility to keep the space tidy, not somebody else's responsibility. Nonetheless, a lot of us cope with kitchen slackers in the workplace, prompting plenty of office angst and a blistering email or two.
"Having an office with a kitchen is a blessing yet a curse," career expert Stacia Pierce said. "You can cook on your break, have more healthy lunches and put your coffee cups in a dishwasher. But how do you deal with coworkers who don't share cleaning responsibilities?"
If the lack of kitchen etiquette at your workplace is eating at you, here are six tips for cleaning up your office's act.
If kitchen etiquette is a problem at your office, or you want to head off any trouble, your workplace should institute a written policy that lays out the break-room or kitchen rules, Hosking said. Make sure the policy is included in the employee manual, highlighted during orientation sessions for new hires and discussed at staff meetings, he said.
Rules for cleaning up should be posted in plain sight in the kitchen or break room, said Parker Geiger, CEO of CHUVA Group. Doing this can help avoid someone being designated as the "kitchen police," he said. If you see someone breaking a rule, report it to the appropriate manager. "Addressing it directly can cause conflict," Geiger said.
If things get out of hand, consider emailing or posting reminders, Hosking said.
Etiquette expert Sandra Lamb said a reminder could read something like this: "Know how you hate to enter the kitchen and find it cluttered and dirty with someone else's mess? Well, as a responsible coworker, be sure to leave the kitchen spotless."
Set a schedule for divvying up kitchen duties, such as loading and unloading the dishwasher, Geiger said.
Business coach Kathi Elster cautions that this method -- rotating the chores among all the workers in the office -- generates "inconsistent" results. So, too, does enforcing a blanket order that each worker is responsible for cleaning up his or her own mess, she said.
If you spill something in the microwave or on the counter, wipe it up, OfficeTeam advises. While you're at it, refill anything that you've emptied, such as the coffee pot or the paper towel dispenser.
"In general, if something needs to trashed or wiped off, then take the initiative and do the good deed," Geiger said.
5. Put someone in charge.
Appointing one person to oversee cleanup of the kitchen or break room may be an option at your workplace. That person shouldn't be afraid "to tell people to be considerate and to stay on top of the offenders in hopes that they may one day learn," Elster said.
Lamb, the etiquette expert, said one of the most effective approaches she's seen to addressing kitchen calamity is posting a sign that says something along the lines of "Your Mother Doesn't Work Here. Leave This Area Clean."
John Egan is editor in chief at SpareFoot, an Austin, Texas-based startup that makes it easy for people to find and book self-storage units online, offline and via mobile devices.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.