Notice who eats lunch at their desk every day
It is sometimes a preference and often the visible end of being outside every group in the building.
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Why it lands
Workplace social structures form fast and then close, and anyone who joined late, works part-time or came back from leave can find there is no way in. Eating alone every day is the most visible symptom and the least commented on, because everyone assumes it is chosen. Asking once costs nothing and occasionally changes somebody's entire experience of a job.
How
Ask them to come rather than saying they are welcome any time, which puts the work back on them. Do it more than once. If they prefer to eat alone, they will say so, and that is a fine outcome too.
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What happened when someone did it
asked my colleague to eat with us today. He was happy to be included but wanted to multi-task at his desk.
Someone
This is part of
A written list of what else helps in the same situation.
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