Candy Dishes

To: All Employees
From: HR Department
Re: Candy Dishes

We've been asked to clarify the company's policy about candy dishes.

If you put out candy, your co-workers assume that it is for public consumption. Therefore, do not put candy out if you plan to restrict access to it. You may not screen the people who take it. It is for anyone who happens to come by your work area, even if that person happens to come from another department. If you are away from your desk for an extended period of time (one day or more), you may remove the candy dish. Otherwise, its contents will be up for grabs. It is completely inappropriate to hide a candy dish from a co-worker you do not like. Remember, many friendships have been forged and divisions have been healed over candy dishes.

Candy dish guidelines:

• Don't double dip. Scooping up a handful of candy and stuffing your pockets is an abuse.
• Don't sort through unwrapped candy. Take what you touch.
• Don't substitute candy for crunchy veggies such as carrots or celery. Candy dishes are for candy, and your co-workers have a right to expect that they will be filled with sweet treats. If you're advocating healthful alternatives, consider filling your candy dish with something like dark chocolate Hershey's Nuggets with almonds. Dark chocolate is a healthier choice and almonds can lower cholesterol.
• Use a container with a narrow top, such as a carafe or a vase, to force grimy co-workers to shake candy out instead of fingering it.