Free Food in Workplaces?
Money Saving
Everywhere I've worked has always given me free food. Do other's workplaces do this? I wrongly assumed that most employers do. Until I heard that a lady I know works in a restaurant, on minimum wage and they still make her pay for food and even drinks. She rarely eats as she can't afford food, really sad. Shouldn't all employers offer free food and drink?
In an ideal world yes, but realistically employers that pay a high percentage of their staff the minimum wage rate wouldn't consider offering this perk. They are more focused on looking for ways to pay their staff less money, such as with the much abused internships and apprenticeship schemes or the rise of 'self-employed' staff working for firms like Deliveroo and Uber Eats.
I think companies should be forced to pay real living wage. Especially if they don't offer free meals x
We have a small staff fridge freezer where i work and we all chuck in a few quid each month to fill it. My brother is a manager at mcdonalds and gets free food plus drink.
Yes McDonald's is good like that. I was a cleaner there a few years ago and you get any medium meal except the special ones and free fizzy drinks x
I got the leftovers of a platter at work yesterday and ate all the sandwiches I could so I would not have to spend money on food when I got home. Tight eh! I once worked in a restaurant and they gave me free food from the menu so I could tell customers what it tasted like - best practice for restaurant owners in my opinion.
I just assumed all restaurants would do that. I think it's criminal that there's people working in the food industry and going hungry themselves because pay is so low and companies are so tight! The lady I know was caught making a cup of tea for herself and they charged her for it. It's a cup of tea... not champagne 
Catering does it. If u work with food. It cost very small. Amount for the employer and they buy those things anyway what u eat.
Domino's Pizza, McDonald's, Caffè Nero gives food to employees.
My current work not in the food business.
Interesting post. As a student I used to work in hotels and staff would have free lunches provided by the chef. It was a great way to catch-up and mix with other team members from other parts of the business. However, I know in the retail food section, lots of business do not always do this and offer staff discounts or nothing at all..
My office offers free tea, coffee, water, fruits (Monday/Wednesday), but it is very uncommon for all employers to offer free food to staff. Would be lovely. Most of my team buy lunch. Generally I mix it up: mostly homemade, occasional team lunches (sometimes free or self-funded) or Friday I sometimes treat myself and busy something I would not make at home like sushi.
If there are any internal meetings and there has been a buffet, any left-overs are shared out. On Friday for example, I managed to get a free lunch, thus saving a few pounds shopping!
That's just what you need as a student 
I can understand that non-food industries may not be able to provide a free lunch but I don't understand restaurants that don't. At very least there should be free drinks though surely... and free fruit is a great idea for businesses, gotta keep the workforce healthy lol. My husbands work is office based so he only occasionally gets a free lunch but always gets fruit and hot drinks x
It is good to get free food in the workplace which can boost workers energy levels and mood providing fruit and herbal teas can help in that way.
It definitely does. I love that I don't have to make a packed lunch and can have a hot meal instead
I suppose it up to the employer. Legally they dont have to. My partner works in a care home and he is only allowed breakfast and tea but its under strict rules. Like they have to make sure even after the residents have been feed then their has to be a certain amout spare. And got to eat it in a certain place Lol
Join for free to get genuine deals, money saving advice and help from our friendly community
Chief Bargain Hunter
