I'd say you are going over the top, but that is because I sit and eat at my desk and as the H&S person I should know better and ensure that I take my break away from the desk to ensure that I have a rest.

Well, the ACOP to the workplace regs says 'In offices and other reasonably clean workplaces, work seats or other seats in the work area will be sufficient, provided workers are not subject to excessive disturbance during breaks, for example, by contact with the public', but it is good for people to get up from their desks. I would try a bit of persuasion, and I really wouldn't go down the heavy banning route,

John

Could you not tempt employees into the rest areas may be a TV or improving the rest areas with comfy seating also add a bit of eduction into the mix as the benefit of getting away from the work area.

Phil

Although it might not be th most significant issue affecting H&S i think there needs to be some consideration to be given to it especially if you have someone one who arrives at there desk at 8 in the morning and won't leave it until 5 at night other than for a toilet break. time to walk away from phone ringing or constant pressure form other workers is important from a stress point of view and to get a change of scene or talk to colleagues about something other than work.

So it might not bee seen as a major H&S issue stress in the workplace is something that need to be watched out for and being able to walk away form the desk for a 10-25 minute break shouldn't be underrated. especially if your work is desk based you can't escape where other will have a natural break by either driving or walking to another site or their job may entail working in different environments (shopfloor, office, driving to site etc) so these can create a natural break a change of scene or different interactions with different people.

Phil

People lunch at their desks for different reasons, some because they like to check their personal e mail, others because of the work pressures etc. I do what I can to discourage this as I really do think that it is important for people to get away from their desks, have a change of posture, a change of environment and a break away from the work face.

I have seen the argument that the desk or more dirty that the toilet, but don't really buy it. Hands up who would rather eat their sandwiches off a loo seat?

I think that it is something to be discouraged, there are probably bigger fish to fry for most of us, but do bear in mind that it may be indicative of an underlying problem.

Surely not ........ !!

You are the employer and after due consultation you could take a decision either way, but it is better to use the facilitating/supportive route than being autocratic.

What proportion eat at their desks and have you got feedback on why they prefer to eat at their desks than using the canteen?

There are no straightforward or prescriptive solutions/answers.

In our workplace, we actively encourage the use of the canteen and subsidise it to some extent. We do not mandate eating in the canteen.

In fact we supply "take away" from the canteen.

Personally, I think prohibiting completely eating at the desks can be OTT, unless you have good reason. I do not subscribe to the cleanliness of the keyboard as an excuse, the message required should be wash you hands before eating, irrespective whether at the desk or in the canteen etc.

Ultimately, it depends upon the "culture" of your organisation.

Just by the by, I visited my friend's workplace the other day and he has clear plastic covers over all his keyboards. I've recommended these for our workplaces. OTT? Well, he's a dentist, and the keyboards are in clinical areas, and I've recommended them for keyboards in clinical areas in our hospices and nursing homes. There's a lot worse than mayonnaise can go down between your keys....

John

Hi,
In my opinion very much OTT, why upset those staff who prefer to remain at their desks for lunch when there is no H&S reason to do so in a typical low risk office environment.
Regards
Steve

Surely those who are in contact with oils and greases should ensure that these are removed before consuming food, whether in the canteen or at their desk?

In my experience many of those who eat at their desk do not place the food directly on to the desk, but usually eat from a container or place the food on something else, rather than directly on the desk.

Chris