I've just moved to a new company (small - midsize biotech) and am curious about how other companies handle the ordering of company lunches.

Anonymous

August 22,2023 at 7:02PM UTC

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I've just moved to a new company (small - midsize biotech) and am curious about how other companies handle the ordering of company lunches.

Do you have a policy the governs the number of people required for something to be considered a "working lunch"? Is it for training sessions only?

And in a similar vein, does one person order for the entire company under a company account? Or is it something that individual EAs/Admins take care of?

We are looking at options to condense the management of the system and make group ordering a smoother process, but are reluctant to move to a single person doing it, given the volume that we sometimes deal with.

Any input on how your company handles would be greatly appreciated.

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AnonymousAugust 22,2023 at 9:30PM UTC
Unless it's a special company-wide event, the department EA or Admin orders only for those in attendance at a specific meeting. They use their company credit card to place the order and they take care if submitting the expense report to account for the purchase.
AnonymousAugust 22,2023 at 11:42PM UTC
This is how we do it too. Number of people varies, but if the meeting runs, eg, 11-1, we bring lunch in - even if we choose that time simply because it’s the only one that works for everyone who needs to attend.
AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 12:42PM UTC
No. We don't. I don't know...from my view, it seems kind of unnecessary but obviously I'm only speaking from what I've been exposed to. In my organization, if it's a lunch here it's just the senior leadership, the EA orders. If it's my team, typically someone will take the orders, call it in and put it on my manager's card. If I'm visiting other offices, sometimes I will buy them lunch and expense it. We have potlucks on occasion (generally, I'm not a fan). Sometimes someone will have a meal catered (like around holidays).
CJB62August 23,2023 at 1:12PM UTC
My prior company used to bring in lunch for our weekly staff meeting, usually served buffet style. My manager’s assistant ordered it from a restaurant that provides catering and expenses it to a company credit card or account. There were as many as 15 and as few as 5 at these meetings.
AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 4:54PM UTC
If you are the person doing this or managing the person doing this here is the best recommendation.
Order lunch if you want to do something over a lunch hour. Make it simple from a place where the price is capped at a set amount.
Offer 3 options that are sandwiches if possible
One meat
One veggie
and One fish
you will have it covered.
Best to send a link to a form perhaps google forms for people to self select. Your IT team can probably help you to set this up. Give this task to your receptionist or the best organized EA to get done.
Have cookies as part of the order too and if possible make some gluten free.
Easy!
AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 5:05PM UTC
There is no policy for what is considered a working lunch - my boss will often have me order from seamless, and that is considered a working lunch, even though it's just him (and sometimes, he kindly tacks on lunch for us around the office, and that is also considered a working lunch, even though we're not working together).
We have house accounts at several spots around the city, which all EAs have access to - and they book the catering for their teams and executive meetings as needed, as they are the folks who have the necessary info. We're also consolidating our accounts into EZ Cater later this year to make it easier for everyone.