What factors to take into account when considering ban of eating at desk? Here is my situation:
- I am the manager of a (software development) team
- I have the authority to impose workplace rules such as this
- I believe eating at desks is unprofessional and reduces productivity and work quality (many reasons, not required to know to answer this question)
When would it be acceptable to ban eating food at desks (except for silent, odourless, utensil-less comestibles and liquids)?
To clarify, it would still be OK to consume:
- any liquid (coffee, tea, soup in a mug - no spoon)
- anything not crunchy or smelly or wrapped in a noisy wrapper
- ban doesn't extend to "celebratory events" such as the delivery of a mile stone, birthdays or whatever when cake might be passed around etc
Edit:
- For reference, the work area layout is "agile": long, straight open desks without partitions
- There is quite generous dedicated lunch area with plenty of tables, a kitchenette, large fridge, etc. It is located adjacent to my team's area (this is sheer luck as although the whole company is on one floor, for some teams the distance is up to 40 meters)
Also, I would be prepared to fund some "surfing" equipment (eg iPads) for the lunch area, if being able to eat 'n' surf is the driving factor for eating at desks