I think if you are fermenting your own Kombucha tea at work, it is exploiting your employer. You should be eating simple to prepare foods that do not take up that much time.

If you are going to tell me that it is actually not that complicated and pretty simple, I say to you this. Only do it if you are willing to home pickle some pickles because it is also "not a big deal" and "doesn't take that much time."

It's uncalled for to be pickling anything for your own consumption at the MB's house.

My boss hasn't told me out load but it is in our handbook that no alcohol is allowed while at work or working (Even if I am working at home.). I have a desk job. Totally reasonable that my boos dictated what I drink in this regard.

Find a new job. She is nuts and it will only get worse. Do not invest any more of your time.

Do readers know that Kombucha tea is different from regular tea? It is fermented over a week and prepared much different from regular tea that often come in tea bags.

Are you just drinking home-prepared or bottled Kombucha? Or are you having a fermenting process going on at MB's house (that often take up to 7-10 days?)

I don't know. On one hand I understand why she feels the way she does, but I also see this as a symptom of a potential issues micromanaging and fishing- she asks you questions looking for ammo to use against you when she is stressed.

My gut is telling me she really doesn't care what you drink. , but is simply a new mom feeling like she's losing control leaving her baby behind each day , and she's looking for ways to feel secure and in control. Those few weeks when baby is bonding with someone new are rough.

I would validate her concern, reiturate that the alcohol content is negligible, but comply and drink something else during work ours.
At the same time keep your eyes open.

But why are you drinking tea that has alcohol no matter the amount in it during your work.

Thank god my MB is who she is. Diet coke is always stocked, I'm frequently invited to have a beer or glass of wine when I eat dinner with the kids, and the kids know "those are grown-up drinks," just like coffee.

I dunno OP, your MB seems a little intense for me - especially after only two weeks. But if this is the only issue I'd probably let it go and not drink it at work (or put it in a water bottle).

It can have some alcohol in it so I see where she's coming from. She's known you two weeks which isn't very long. That said if it's really THAT important to you just pour it into a Kleen kanteen and be done with it. But really, is it really that big a deal? Just drink water or regular tea. It's cheaper anyway.

Of course your boss can tell you what you should and should not consume at work. For example, in my office if someone were bringing something with a strong smell (tuna, indian food, etc) their boss could ask them not to consume it at work because it makes them and others uncomfortable. I suppose I COULD take a big stance about my rights, etc, etc, but I doubt that would be regarded as professional, or even reasonable, behavior.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say nothing and stop bringing it to work. It does have trace amounts and she is your boss with apparently a zero tolerance policy. Her child, her house, her money, her rules

So you allow your boss to dictate what you eat and drink?

I don't get this mentality some employers have in regards to nannies. Employers never own their employees, and nannies aren't an exception.

I ask the employers on here, would you allow your boss to tell you what you can and cannot eat or drink during your lunch hour?

To me, it's thinly veiled classism, you are wealthy, we are not. What you says go, you hold all the cards. I think it's a power trip for many parents.

Of course it's up to my boss if I can or cant eat something in their home especially infront of the children. Most are not okay with soda or candy or fast food / fried foods. I would never eat a slice of cheesecake infront of my charges while they eat broccoli because my employers would be upset I'm setting a bad example. I wouldn't eat peanuts if my charge was allergic and I wouldnt eat a cheeseburger if my employers kept a koser home . I wouldn't consume alcohol either even in trace amounts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would say nothing and stop bringing it to work. It does have trace amounts and she is your boss with apparently a zero tolerance policy. Her child, her house, her money, her rules

So you allow your boss to dictate what you eat and drink?

I don't get this mentality some employers have in regards to nannies. Employers never own their employees, and nannies aren't an exception.

I ask the employers on here, would you allow your boss to tell you what you can and cannot eat or drink during your lunch hour?

To me, it's thinly veiled classism, you are wealthy, we are not. What you says go, you hold all the cards. I think it's a power trip for many parents.

No, it is called a work hierarchy.
Employers get to dictate all kinds of unreasonable things because they are the employers. It is not "fair" because you do not have equal power in this relationship. This is why many people work for themselves despite the long hours, lack of benefits, and financial riskiness. They don't like being told what to do anymore than you do.

Why is this particular drink so important to you? My sense about kombucha has always been that kids drink it to be cool and edgy, precisely because it has a little alcohol in it.

Anonymous wrote:I would say nothing and stop bringing it to work. It does have trace amounts and she is your boss with apparently a zero tolerance policy. Her child, her house, her money, her rules

So you allow your boss to dictate what you eat and drink?

I don't get this mentality some employers have in regards to nannies. Employers never own their employees, and nannies aren't an exception.

I ask the employers on here, would you allow your boss to tell you what you can and cannot eat or drink during your lunch hour?

To me, it's thinly veiled classism, you are wealthy, we are not. What you says go, you hold all the cards. I think it's a power trip for many parents.

I would say nothing and stop bringing it to work. It does have trace amounts and she is your boss with apparently a zero tolerance policy. Her child, her house, her money, her rules

How would she even know what you are drinking?

Because it has traces of alcohol, and I shouldn't be "drinking on the job".

We are two weeks in, otherwise we have had no problems. Should I explain to her that the tiny tiny traces of alcohol that could potentially be in kombucha tea couldn't not possibly be even close to impairing me?

I don't like th idea of her dictating what I eat and drink, and I don't like that she thinks I'd dare drink alcohol on the job.