Is it wrong to take the last cup of office coffee without making more?
Guilty
The short answer
Yes, whoever takes the last cup makes the next pot. It is the oldest rule in office life, and the court enforces it.
The ruling
From the public record. Names are replaced with roles.
Small claims division
Case no.PC-2026-00297
The coworker who found the pot empty v. The coworker who took the last cup
Filed 10/07/2026
- Plaintiff
- The coworker who found the pot empty
- Defendant
- The coworker who took the last cup
Statement of claim
Three days this week I went to get coffee and the pot was empty and still on the burner. Each time she was walking back to her desk with a full mug.
Charge
Taking the last cup of office coffee on three consecutive days without brewing more
Judgment
Guilty
Coworker found guilty of taking the last coffee three days running
Sentence
The defendant will make the first pot every morning for the next week, and the next pot whenever she takes the last cup.
How the court usually rules on this
The court considers the last-cup rule settled. The only defense it accepts is an urgent meeting, and only once. Leaving an empty pot on a hot burner is an aggravating factor because of the smell and the risk.
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