What is the office etiquette for communal chocolate jars?

Question

At my office we all contribute chocolate and candy into a communual jar, except for one person who tends to be the biggest consumer. He works late shift and eats the candy as his evening meal. In the year I have worked he has not contributed once, and is openly proud of his miser ways. How should I deal with this stingy freeloader who is unappreciative of what others have the courtesy to provide?

Answer 1

Drive around his neighborhood this Halloween and hide in the bushes. When you see your coworker walking around in his spiderman underoos, grab his bag of candy and run!... dump goodies in the office jar, and mums the word. ~all this over some candy??

Answer 2

I keep 2 candy jars on my desk. I fill it in the morning and by the afternoon it would be empty. I work often work in a different location, but one time I came back and caught one woman dumping half of the candy in her hand. She looked nervous and started stumbling for words to explain; I looked at her like she was crazy and told her where I buy the candy. I told her to feel free to donate. She did, but it was the cheap stuff, so I stopped filling the jar, but told the others where they could find the candy.

In my office there are three women who have no shame in being freeloaders. They will make the biggest plate at the potluck, but never bring a thing; one woman would even invite her husband! By the way, they both would eat very well!

Just put the candy away when you leave for the evening. That person will get the message. Remember, most people are generous as well as appreciative. I cannot stomach freeloaders!!!!

Answer 3

I feel the fault does not lie with the guy who doesn't contribute but with the people who know about it and continue to let it happen but complain about it!

Put an end to the jar !! This man has obviously shown YOU and YOUR office personnel his true colors. Fix the situation. If he eats the whole jars worth each night why bother adding to the jar. I think perhaps the people in the office have overlooked the fact that are feeding the monster and ONLY THEY can stop it!

I don't understand why anyone would put candy in a jar and then let some pig eat it all for numerous months/years. Truly the people who are adding to this jar need thier head examined !

Answer 4

If he works the late shift when everyone leaves lock it up. If he ask tell him there is $2 a week charge to for the candy jar. Better yet have candy machine with a key. Everyone gets a key but him. He has to put in coins to get the candy.

Answer 5

Put the candy up on his shift, ask for a donation, or be like me I once had a nurse that always wanted to take all the candy and food the drug reps left for the office home to her family and I just had to tell her it was for the office only: In other word just be blunt and tell him CANDY GOES ON LOCKDOWN TILL YOU CONTRIBUTE! If he will not contribute to a trivial thing as communal candy,the bigger question is he contributing his own workload, it runs hand and hand.

Answer 6

If he's being openly proud of his behavior, chances are he won't respond to polite appeals to his honor.

How about making a communal fruit basket instead, maybe with some containers of bite-sized raw veggies, too? It would be healthier for the office, people could still grab quick snacks, and contribute their favorite fruit & cut-up veggies, and chances are that Mr. Greedy won't be as interested.

Answer 7

put bitter candy in the jar or put a limit sign on it, or take up collection for the next bag

Answer 8

Hide the candy during the late shift. When he asks where it is tell him it's his turn to bring it in.

Answer 9

Put up a small sign reading: "No free loaders, please". Stage 2; add a collection box next to the jar. Stage 3: Put them on his desk. Stage 4: report him to Human Resources.

Answer 10

Ask him when he is going to contribute. Directly, but nicely.