Office Food Thieves

A new study* has revealed that 46% of people in a Director role or higher has knowingly stolen food or drink from someone at work, according to new research from Husky Lifestyle.

UK bosses confessed that the most common item they have stolen was milk from the fridge (37%), followed by confectionery such as crisps, chocolate and sweets (18%).

Throughout the UK, more than 1 in 3 people (39%) have taken food from a colleague without asking, with 25-34 year olds being the worst offenders (42%). The research has revealed that men are 48% more likely to steal food at work than women, but 10% more likely to replace the food they have taken.

Of all the industries, people who work in Marketing are the most likely to steal food or drink from their fellow colleagues, with 57% admitting to having done this. This was closely followed by 50% people who work in HR (50%). Fortunately for UK employees, people that work in Accounts & Administration are the most trustworthy; 65% & 72% having never taken food or drink respectively.

Just under half of people (44%) who have had their food stolen, have tried to prevent it from happening again by putting name labels on their items in the office cupboards and fridge. And 33% of people have taken to keeping their foodstuff in a separate cupboard or fridge to try and ward off the notorious office thieves.

In the Republic of Ireland, 1 in 5 people have actually set up a camera to try and catch the culprits red-handed. And with good reason; 57% of people from the region admitted to stealing from their colleagues.

Angela Mundean, Director at Husky Lifestyle, said: “Although it’s quite alarming that 1 in 3 people steal food and drink at the office, it appears it will continue to happen regardless of the measures people take.’’

“Some of our respondents have come up with some really interesting and funny ways to prevent this from happening though and a Husky mini-fridge would definitely be the perfect solution.”

If you have come up with a way to prevent your food going missing from work, we would love to hear from you.

*Survey based on 2,000 people living and working in the UK