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decimomal  
#1 Posted : 09 June 2011 07:59:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
decimomal

An employee (Vegan) is demanding that we provide a freezer for her to store her specilist food in.

As far as I understand it there is no such duty on an employer to provide such facilities - although I accept there may be certain circumstances where an employee with a medical condition might apply.

Any thoughts or pointers?

Ta
flukey  
#2 Posted : 09 June 2011 08:06:46(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
flukey

No duty- she came demand all she likes and thats exactly what you should say to her.
m  
#3 Posted : 09 June 2011 08:17:34(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
m

The comparable situations would be provisions for religious groups who may require separate facilities, eg Kosher. Surely the food should be suitablly wrapped by the vegan to prevent the 'contamination' she is seeking to avoid. And why a freezer; do non vegans have access to a freezer?
decimomal  
#4 Posted : 09 June 2011 08:24:24(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
decimomal

Thanks so far,

The employee is not seeking to avoid cross contamination - she is just 'demanding' a freezer to store her food in during the working week.

I have suggested she brings her food in a cool bag daily.
kev3152  
#5 Posted : 09 June 2011 09:07:40(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
kev3152

That's as far as you need to go, any further and you start to discriminate against everybody else. I had a similar probem with someone who monopolised the office fridge because she chose to shop at lunchtime. Not fair on everyone else, and no reason why she shouldn't manage her retail activity to suit the majority. Same with your vegan employee, adaily lunchbox is perfectly adequate.
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