I work as a senior administrator for, running reports and analysis for the company and reviewing and negotiating large contracts. Our Receptionist, whose role involves keeping the kitchen stocked up with biscuits, milk, coffee, etc., as well as stacking and emptying the dishwasher, is on annual leave, so we are expected to take care of it amongst ourselves until she returns. This hasn’t worked well, with the kitchen getting messy and milk and coffee running out. The office manager (female) decided to put a kitchen roster in place for the next three weeks – the only people on the roster are the four women who work in the office.
I questioned her about this, and she said men couldn’t be expected to keep the kitchen clean. I took it to the boss (male), who said he saw my point, but it probably wouldn’t get done on the days a male was responsible for it, and it’s only for three weeks. The general feeling amongst the other employees was that i was making a fuss about nothing.
I have refused to be on the roster, as have two of the other women, so the office manager is having to do it all herself. It has not led to a happy office atmosphere.