Someone at work is eating my lunch on a regular basis - how can I get back at them without getting in trouble

sausagedelay on 18/01/2017 - 18:42
Last edited 25/01/2017 - 15:35

As title suggests someone at work is eating my lunch 2-3x a week. Yes I put a name tag on my food, both on the plastic bag and then on the lunchbox. This theft almost always occur 99% of the time I get takeaway such as a sushi box or some kind of takeaway. Other times they'll look in my lunch box and nick parts of my lunch such as my chobani yoghurt or up and go other prepackaged snacks.

The higher-ups won't let me view CCTV and they said they'll investigate and despite reporting it in early December, it's been happening again shortly after the Christmas/New Years break. Friends have suggested putting unbearably hot spices or laxatives or something to mess with them but I have the feeling I'd get in trouble.

Any suggestions?

update: i will go with a really hot sauce and put it in one of my lunches, thanks for the ideas guys :) Will let you know how it goes
update 2: purchased hot sauce as someone suggested in the comments from the chilli factory, will keep you updated

Education & Work

Comments

  • magic8ballgag on 19/01/2017 - 08:46
    +1

    Lots of people suggesting that the OP tamper with their food to deal with the thief but are forgetting that this cannot be done with sealed foods such as yogurt/Up & Go etc.

    • DiscoJango on 19/01/2017 - 08:50
      +2

      have you ever left a sealed tub of yogurt outside in the hot temperature for a week or so, and then seen what the contents look like?

      • dbun1 on 19/01/2017 - 11:06
        +1

        Yep…:think outside the box!

      • deadpoet on 19/01/2017 - 20:47

        Problem is that the thief isn't going to eat it.

    • WT on 19/01/2017 - 11:35
      +1

      Syringe

    • cybapete on 19/01/2017 - 17:21

      really?
      take the tub of yogurt, put it in the microwave for a little bit (30 seconds? not long enough for it to build up pressure & explode) heat it up a few times then put it back in the fridge to cool and pack it in the lunchbox

      if the thief complains just say it was a sealed tub i don't know what happened

      • MrTweek on 19/01/2017 - 20:01
        +2

        if the thief complains just say it was a sealed tub i don't know what happened

        If the thief complains, report them to HR for stealing your fkn food.

        Why would you need to justify yourself for having food that's not fresh enough to get stolen?

  • kusama on 19/01/2017 - 08:48
    +1

    Get a little fridge under your desk - side hustle sell some cokes :)

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 08:51
    +2

    I would personally speak with upper management and make a case about it
    doing anything other than this can lead you into hot water

    Sure stealing someones lunch is "a crime" but poisoning someone or paying them back is just as bad
    stooping to the same level as said criminal, there are ways of dealing with this in a fair manner
    just don't go doing anything silly because you may find yourself escorted out by the police.

    • Zaenille on 19/01/2017 - 11:57
      +1

      Stop with your logic!

    • DiscoJango on 19/01/2017 - 11:59
      +5

      escorted out by the police, speaking to upper management… what kind of fairy tale world do you live in

      • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 15:31
        +1

        I have seen it happen

        fairy tale world or not, its factual, over trivial stupid disputes
        obviously this varies from company to company

        I think you'll find the "fairy tale" world is this online forum with the latest spate of postings from new users :)

        I got a fine, how can I avoid it
        I crashed into someone uninsured, how can I get away with it

        I think its time to bring a new forum called LawBargain in to being.

    • Speckled Jim on 19/01/2017 - 13:41

      Sure stealing someones lunch is "a crime"

      Correct.

      poisoning someone or paying them back is just as bad stooping to the same level as said criminal

      How so?
      It's not like the food is pursuing them. They are choosing to steal. If something's amiss with the food, OP has plausible deniability…unless their internet activity — this topic — is analysed.

      It's the same as the CCTV argument that's been accepted by so many: if you've done nothing wrong, you've got nothing to worry about.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 15:29
        +1

        pretty self explanatory I would assume USB-V
        Cleary not

        Going around and poisoning someone will land yourself either a criminal record / court date
        Try it and find out :)

      • nathand on 20/01/2017 - 09:13

        It comes down to intention, if you have a reasonable belief that someone would eat the tainted food and the prosecution can prove it you will be done. Even if its your food. The fact he stole your food does not negate this.

        • Speckled Jim on 20/01/2017 - 09:46

          I wish I was in OP's position to prove you wrong.

          If I'm on a detox diet and they experience a reaction as a result of their theft, that's a consequence of their action. If they're dumb enough to press charges, the Police would have to play along. IF it were allowed to proceed that far, any court would dismiss with an admonishment for the thief.

          Damn! I have a wide array of arguments should it get to court. The best they have is illiteracy, and even that's no defense. They'd have to be a starving, homeless interloper raiding office kitchens for survival to have a chance.

  • WreckTangle on 19/01/2017 - 08:56
    +16

    If you're not getting much support from management, perhaps the culprit is your boss.

  • thriftybunny on 19/01/2017 - 09:02

    haha reminds me of the time I bought a small bag of limes (they weren't cheap) and they got stolen at work, I was so upset but never found them again.. good luck OP, hope you find a way to stop the thief!

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 09:17

    Keep complaining along with leaving note in lunchbox: Dear Thief with a running tab and telling them management has been notified
    Otherwise combination travel lock on lunchbox,
    but I would find this embarrassing and inconvenient
    Don't do anything to the food as revenge is a two way Street
    Just get them fired and out of the building
    But don't just leave takeaway containers in a communal fridge and not expect them to go 'oohhhh leftovers' also don't be surprised if nothing's done, it may be your boss scabing food

  • tassieeagle on 19/01/2017 - 09:23
    +3

    joke idea, do not do it

    See Eric Cartman vs Scott Tennerman

    • StewBalls on 19/01/2017 - 09:49

      About 90% of the comments here should be prefaced by the same disclaimer! ;)

  • Sheez on 19/01/2017 - 09:24
    +2

    You could put something on the outside of your container such as your yoghurt, like blue ink, so you can identify the culprit!

  • railspider on 19/01/2017 - 09:40
    +1

    As funny as all these ideas are, in America (and probably here too) you can be sued and found liable for deliberately poisoning/baiting your food.

    If you have a reasonable belief that someone else will eat the food, you can't use it to harm somebody, even if they are technically breaking a law by stealing from you.

    Best bet is to raise this with management. Maybe send a passive-aggressive email to the whole office, if that is more your style.

  • nsg on 19/01/2017 - 09:43
    -3

    Step 1: 5 emails to HR
    Step 2: 5 escalation emails.
    Print and keep your emails and their responses.
    Step 3: Threaten to sue the company

    • Skramit on 19/01/2017 - 09:45
      +1

      Agree with you in principal about letting HR know, but definitely not step 3. Threatening to sue takes this from a minor incident that HR and managment need to be aware of to try to resolve, to DEFCON 1 nuclear war scenario and should be avoided at all costs. Threatening to sue only makes you look hysterical and unreasonable.

      • nsg on 19/01/2017 - 09:49
        +1

        Management/HR has no right to ignore your grievances.
        It is their job to provide a fair/safe/secure workplace environment.
        If they don't do their job, sue them.

        Next thing OP knows, his laptop/cash may get stolen…

        • wanderworld on 20/01/2017 - 14:43

          You are confusing theory with reality.

          Having your lunch stolen is annoying… but not worth creating a hostile work environment where your boss is waiting for an opportunity to fire you.

    • pulpfiction on 20/01/2017 - 19:13

      Wait, are you for real? You're actually suggesting someone sue their employer for like $26 worth of sandwiches?

  • woodwa on 19/01/2017 - 09:48
    +2

    hidden camera in the fridge.. too easy..

  • YellowDieselGolf on 19/01/2017 - 09:53
    +1

    Leave a note in your lunchbox saying something like "yesterday's meat was actually My Dog". Or "did you find the pubic hair in my last sandwich?"

    • wired00 on 19/01/2017 - 11:37

      haha yeah, definitely this, and also substitute yoghurt for mayonase

  • godofpizza on 19/01/2017 - 09:54
    +7

    use ninhydrin solution on you lunch box.

    but place it inside another box with a warning not to open. It will stain their hands for at least 3-4 days with a bright purple colour.

  • argamond on 19/01/2017 - 10:12

    bad mayo

    Buy something egg based, leave it out for a few weeks and liberally put it in a sandwich.

    You can't smell the difference

  • iSamurai on 19/01/2017 - 10:13
    +3

    Chilli sauce or wasabi may be harmless but I wouldn't go with spoilt food. You write your name on your lunch so the culprit knows who the lunch belongs to. You don't want to risk the chance of revenge in case he/she comes back and puts nasty stuff in your lunch. If management won't do anything about it I'd put a spy camera in the kitchen with a live feed going to your phone/computer so you can catch him/her red handed.

  • FW190 on 19/01/2017 - 10:23

    OP mentioned sushi box, put in extra wasabi :)

  • Kempe on 19/01/2017 - 10:34

    You can buy lockable lunch boxes or just get one from Woolies and drill a couple of holes and fit a padlock.
    Alternatively just go out at lunchtime and buy it and consume it straight away

  • Kapinny on 19/01/2017 - 10:46
    +2

    this sounds like a seinfeld episode lol

  • nathand on 19/01/2017 - 10:49

    This is a crappy situation, your damned if you do and your damned if you don't.

    As dumb as it is no one likes whistle blowers or tattle tales but your lunch is getting stolen.

    The annoying part is with management, as much as the other person is in the wrong stealing food, a lot of managers hate trouble and issues with HR especially for what they would see as minor things. It can sometimes look worse on you as you are the complainant and in their eyes the one causing trouble. Which seems counter-intuitive but again a lot of managers don't want to deal with the small things like this.

    Don't put something in your food to harm the other person, even minor stuff, if they can prove intent then you become the bad guy as well stay above it all if you can.

    Are there more fridges on your level, or another level might be better?

    If there is no easy way to avoid or get around it and management is completely ignoring you then go around them to HR. If you went direct to HR would have been better politically. They would have had the out to say 'Oh, why didn't you come to us first' now they wont like it though its good that you went to them first but if you go around they will get annoyed as it makes them look bad they did nothing.

    Good Luck.

    • NobalaKoba on 19/01/2017 - 10:58

      You're*

      Also, the voice in my head is confused and out of breath from that last sentence.

      • nathand on 20/01/2017 - 09:15

        Ha, cheers, I was writing in a hurry.

        • NobalaKoba on 20/01/2017 - 19:46

          No worries, I was pretty rude, sorry about that. Thanks for not being rude in return.

  • bset on 19/01/2017 - 10:49

    Looking forward to the follow up report post on this.

    /popcorn

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 11:13

    Maybe dose you're lunch with a large amount of sugar, or to much coriander. It will taste bad but won't hurt them

  • dbun1 on 19/01/2017 - 11:16

    Bake some muffins but load it up with salt.
    That way claim ignorance and say you must have mixed up the salt and sugar. Can be done with any food that requires the addition of sugar.

    Box of sashimi left in the sun works well too.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 11:23

    Just buy a packed meal, and put a camera opposite. It might be worth putting something really pungent on the outside of the box, so when they open it, the smell alerts people around them. Something like fox urine.

  • JimmyF on 19/01/2017 - 11:28

    If management won't review the CCTV to find out who is stealing it, then start loading the food up with laxatives!

    How can you get in trouble for someone else stealing YOUR lunch, I mean we all need some laxatives from time to time. So maybe you're having one of those 'moments' and needed some ;)

    Again not your fault someone stole your lunch that had laxatives in it!!!

  • farknos on 19/01/2017 - 11:29
    +1

    surely there must be some fluid that you could remove from your body to marinate the sushi with.
    dont ruin the party, do it a couple of times, make sure the bait has been eaten before letting anyone else in on the news.

  • lunartemis on 19/01/2017 - 11:31
    +2

    Get one of those victim alarms you pull the trigger and beeps with loud noise. Attach it to one of the attractive food (bottom of yoghurt) so when the person tries to take it, it will set off the alarm.
    https://www.amazon.com/Vigilant-Personal-PPS22BL-Batteries-A…

  • jhmtaylor on 19/01/2017 - 11:32

    This should fix the problem
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1766728976982726&set…

  • snynx on 19/01/2017 - 11:56
    +3

    put a dildo in your food

  • snook on 19/01/2017 - 12:03

    Someone kept taking my can of coke out of the fridge.
    I stuck a post-it on it with big black letters that said F**K OFF THIEF
    I turned it around so as not to offend other fridge users.
    It stopped happening.

  • mavis30551 on 19/01/2017 - 12:04

    OP please do one of these and update us with outcome

  • slow on 19/01/2017 - 12:07

    Depends if you just want to stop the theft, or get revenge on the perpetrator.

    If the former, I would just get a cheap toolbox from Bunnings and jury rig a padlock onto it (may need to drill a couple of holes)

  • Zondor on 19/01/2017 - 12:13
    +1

    C4 and a sensor so when its picked up it goes off.

    • godofpizza on 19/01/2017 - 12:46

      but you have to pick out your food from the cannon fodder.

      • Zondor on 19/01/2017 - 13:37

        The taste of victory is enough to sate me.

      • deadpoet on 19/01/2017 - 21:00

        Plot twist: OP is Hannibal Lecter.

  • Frankenbeanie on 19/01/2017 - 12:38
    -1

    add ricin in the food .

  • The Wololo Wombat on 19/01/2017 - 13:01

    I'm curious, what kind of industry do you work in? I can't imagine it happening at any of the places I've ever worked in. It seems crazy that it would happen!

    • jackary on 19/01/2017 - 13:31

      I worked for one of the big 4 accountancy firms years ago - I was flabbergasted by the level of petty office politics - generally hilarious, but also very trivial and silly.

  • picklewizard on 19/01/2017 - 13:11

    I've always kinda hoped this would happen to me… as I'd bake up a strong batch of special brownies, and pack one in my lunch (of course never consuming on-site!)

    It wouldn't taste any different, but I guarantee you you'd be able to spot the culprit a MILE away (if you make them appropriately strong.)

    There's no evidence against you as the culprit has eaten it all… the perfect crime ;)

  • yabree17 on 19/01/2017 - 13:22

    I assume if he is eating parts of your lunch he is probably nicking other people's food from the fridge. What a total jerk. I would so do the super hot chili or laxative thing… Good luck.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 13:35
    +1

    Shit sandwich

  • systema on 19/01/2017 - 13:47
    +1

    Apply wasabi liberally instead of avocado in your sandwiches and lace the sushi rolls with a large serve of wasabi inside the rolls. Beauty of wasabi is that they are relatively stealthy compared to chilli. Laxatives are optional.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 13:47
    +3

    Happened to a friend of mine, so he made a peanut butter and wasabi (full tube) sandwich. Needless to say, the a—hole had to take a couple days off work sick. But my friend never lost his lunch again.

  • inittobinit on 19/01/2017 - 14:00
    +1

    Stealing food i feel like is the epitome of a lowlife scum move.

    Even if you did put some sort of laxative or vomit inducing substance in, how could you possibly get in trouble for that?

    What you do to your own food should be entirely your prerogative and if someone else eats it then any kind of responsibility should be void on the sole fact that they stole from you and their own wrong doing caused their own harm.

    What are they going to say? "I STOLE HIS POISON FOOD, HE SHOULD BE PROVIDING ME EDIBLE ITEMS TO STEAL THIS IS AN OUTRAGE."

    Has anyone ever actually sabotaged their food and got in trouble?

    What if I stole a car but the brakes were shitty and caused me to crash and cause myself injury does the owner of the car get in trouble? Certainly not.

  • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 14:09

    dye packs?

    to keep it edible maybe some food dyes in the yogurt?, blue coloured tongue will stick out

  • The General on 19/01/2017 - 14:11

    Pubic hair is your friend here.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 14:13

      careful there you may run out,
      having said that, that would be classified as sexual harassment and probably instant dismissal

  • The General on 19/01/2017 - 14:19
    +14

    Send an email to everyone, letting them know that someone has stolen your sperm sample. You had been collecting it up for the last 6 months to take it to the sperm bank that day. It was in a yogurt container in the fridge for safe storage till after work.

    But perhaps don't ask for them to return it.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 14:28

      lmao

  • Baysew on 19/01/2017 - 14:21

    Lots of fun things to put in lunch.

    However, OP may have high pressure job, and forgot that they were eating their own lunch.

  • zoe hart on 19/01/2017 - 14:23

    Buy some home brand products and use the labels to disguise your food, or print your own. I like the lockable lunxhbox, or coolerbag ideas otherwise. Please update us on your outcome, it's such a low act to steal someone's lunch.

    • [Deactivated] on 19/01/2017 - 14:35

      sounds like aldi took your advice, new label and Wollah;
      ladies BO spray is now unisex shoe freshener

  • Lockieasy on 19/01/2017 - 14:36
    +2

    Set up a camera to find out who's eating your lunch, then eat them for lunch

  • centrelink on 19/01/2017 - 14:37
    -1

    Why use chilli when you can use suicide pills?

  • sky blu on 19/01/2017 - 14:46
    +2

    This is the step by step homemade guide here for you

    • PJC on 19/01/2017 - 16:25

      Delicious!

  • duchy on 19/01/2017 - 14:47
    +1

    Reminds me of this Friends episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2xi7B3mkr0

  • AMLagonda on 19/01/2017 - 14:47
    +1

    Has anyone bought in the Bikies!!!

    • StewBalls on 19/01/2017 - 15:11

      The scary part is that your facetious suggestion is actually more sensible than some of the 'serious' comments here… ;)

  • AyjeofSpades on 19/01/2017 - 15:00

    If you've only reported it once in early December they may need a reminder that it's still happening.

    Management should really take stealing (bullying?) seriously. If they have CCTV footage it shouldn't even be hard to find the culprit, especially if you can provide the approximate time it was stolen.

    Better they deal with it early, before the revenge plots start.

    • CandyMan on 19/01/2017 - 20:26
      +1

      What if it is management !

  • baggyred on 19/01/2017 - 15:02
    +1

    I can't believe this is a real thing. People actually do this shit?

    • nerdycat on 19/01/2017 - 15:09

      I had someone not only eat my homemade lunch but then take the container too… im guessing to hide the evidence….

      • prinsenhof on 19/01/2017 - 20:00

        Someone might of thought it was off, and thrown it in the bin.

        • nerdycat on 20/01/2017 - 10:36

          I had only put it in the fridge that morning. There were plenty of other untouched containers still there.

    • TheOneWhoKnocks on 19/01/2017 - 20:52
      +1

      People can be scums.

  • baggyred on 19/01/2017 - 15:03
    +3

    Just go postal

  • Shwayne on 19/01/2017 - 15:11
    +1

    A single caltrop in each sushi roll.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 19/01/2017 - 15:27

    Hot chilli easy

  • John on 19/01/2017 - 15:32

    Cmon OP what did you end up doing? I would have loads of fun if this were to happen to me. I'd probably inject with various semi-harmless things for several weeks (think dog food, sweat, booger, ants, etc). While putting a hidden camera in the fridge to document the whole thing.. So I can make a viral video out of it!

  • wukachuka on 19/01/2017 - 15:44
    +1

    Just get a lockable lunch box.
    Anything else is just stupid.

  • Cluster on 19/01/2017 - 15:44

    The problem with taking revenge by slipping something nasty into the food is you don't know how the thief will retaliate. Maybe they'll slip in laxatives/chilli/poison into your unattended lunch at a later time…

    • methdd on 19/01/2017 - 22:58
      +1

      Resume lunches with a lockable box after you've had the fun.

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