Unknown employee keeps stealing coworker's lunch, forcing him to buy a mini fridge and lock his food inside, other coworkers mock him: 'We get it, you're special'

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Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jun 6, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Lunch break at work is a sacred time for many, especially since it's usually the only time in the day that you can actually relax and do what you want, even if it is only for 30 minutes. This break is really important for most employees, so they want to ensure it goes exactly as planned, without any unwanted surprises.

The actual food is a big part of that. What you eat for lunch is a crucial detail for a successful break; it is what gets you going in the morning, and what gives you strength for the rest of the day afterwards. What, how, when, and where you eat your food at lunch is a big deal, and every day is a new challenge.

When one brings their home-cooked meal to the office and puts it in the fridge to eat it at lunch break, that little Tupperware is a light at the end of a long tunnel. To get up when it's time for lunch, open the fridge and find out your food is gone, that can destroy your entire day, even your entire week…

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  • 01
    "This is the only solution that worked"
    via Africa images

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • That is the reality for the employee in the story below, day after day. Someone in the office kept stealing his lunches, and nothing he did got them to stop. 

    The only solution he could come up with was to buy a mini fridge, put it under his work desk, and lock it with his food inside. And even though this did stop the thief, it also created an awkward atmosphere at work.

  • 02

    AITA for locking the office fridge after someone kept stealing my lunch?

    I (34M) work in a small office with about 10 people. We share a communal kitchen, including one fridge. Over the past month, my lunch has been stolen five times. Not just
    via bigproman
  • 03
    random snacks entire homemade meals I bring from home, gone without a trace. It's not just frustrating, it's expensive and messes up my day.
    via bigproman
  • 04
    I mentioned it a couple of times in the group chat, like "Hey, someone's been taking my lunches. Please stop." Everyone either ignored it or sent vague messages like "ugh that s .ks"
    via bigproman
  • 05
    or "some people are the worst," but no one took responsibility. So I bought a mini fridge and put it under my desk. Nothing fancy, just enough to hold my
    via bigproman
  • 06
    meal and a drink. I also put a little lock on it just for extra peace of mind. Since then, no more stolen lunches. Well, last Friday, one of my coworkers (I'll call her Dana, 29F) confronted me during
    via bigproman
  • 07
    lunch and said it was "weird and selfish" that I had a personal fridge. She said it made me "look paranoid" and "not part of the team." I said I was tired of my food being stolen, and this
    via bigproman
  • 08
    was the only solution that worked. She said I should've just brought stuff I wouldn't care about losing, like snacks or microwave meals, if I was so worried.
    via bigproman
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10514059520
    via xavierarnau

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 10
    A couple of others have now made little comments like, "Don't let him see your lunch he might lock it up," or "We get it, you're special." I'm starting to feel like the weirdo in the office just for protecting my stuff.
    via bigproman
  • 11
    AITA for locking up my lunch. instead of letting this keep happening?
    via bigproman
  • 12
    Worried_Cucumbers NTA sounds like Dana is hangry now that she doesn't have free lunch
    via Worried_Cucumbers
  • 13
    bigproman OP Guess some people really miss the mystery buffet I was unknowingly providing.
    via bigproman
  • 14
    Blue-Being22 The person who is "not part of the team" is the one who is stealing lunches. You're not "paranoid" there is actually a thief in your mix. That's a fact. You just took care of the problem is all. Everyone who has a comment can sck it.
    via Blue-Being22
  • 15
    No-Assistant-1948 NTA. But just give the same energy back. They are treating it like a joke, so keep it at a joke level. Don't be serious.
    via No-Assistant-1948
  • 16
    "Haha watch out OP, food thieve may be around!" And you respond with, "good one, but haven't seen Dana all morning!" Lmco. Also I take no responsibility for what happens after this.
    via No-Assistant-1948
  • 17
    Merrik4t NTA and I think you found your lunch thief.
    via Merrik4t
  • 18
    Spiralinnigirl NTA and it's more than 1 person taking your lunch. Just respond back, "The only person who would have a problem with this is an actual thief. So not worried about their feelings."
    via Spiralinnigirl
  • 19
    AppointmentNaive2811 I'd immediately get in contact with HR about theft *and* bɩ lying, NTA
    via AppointmentNaive2811
  • 20
    kaosrules2 NTA Next time someone says anything, I'd say something like, "Why does it bother you so much? Were you the one taking my food?"
    via kaosrules2
  • 21
    bigproman OP Thanks for all the replies, appreciate the backup. I'll update tomorrow if Dana says anything else or if things get spicier.
    via bigproman

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lunch break aita workplace-stories employee manager job tales-from-the-workplace coworkers reddit story lunch Office workplace food Reddit company
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