What a Messy Desk Says About You

Survey: Two in Three HR Managers OK With Employees Having Disorganized Workspaces

TORONTO, Jan. 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Having a cluttered desk may not be a bad thing, a new survey from OfficeTeam suggests. Two-thirds (66 per cent) of human resources (HR) managers interviewed felt it's at least somewhat acceptable to have a messy desk at work. In fact, 13 per cent even said it's a sign of a creative person. However, nearly one-third (31 per cent) stated they would question an employee's organizational skills and effectiveness if that person had an unkempt workspace.

The survey was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with more than 300 HR managers at companies across Canada. 

HR managers were asked, "Which one of the following statements most closely describes your perception of someone at work who has a messy desk?" Their responses:

It's perfectly fine to have a messy desk. It's a sign of a creative person!	13%
It's OK to have a messy desk. No judgment here!	53%
It's not OK to have a messy desk. I question that person's organizational skills and effectiveness on the job.	31%
Don't know	3%
	100%

"Although not everyone cares about how your desk looks, having a messy workspace could lead others to question your professionalism," said Robert Hosking, executive director of OfficeTeam. "Keep your desk tidy and you'll be able to find what you need more quickly and increase your work efficiency."

OfficeTeam identifies seven desk organization mistakes:

1. Creating a pileup. Recycle or shred unnecessary paperwork and file or scan everything else.    
2. Failing to contain yourself. Use pencil cups, drawer and file organizers, and trays to keep items in their place.
3. Hoarding. If you haven't touched something in a year, it probably shouldn't be on your desk. Keep supplies you access most often within reach, and the rest out of sight. 
4. Not being tech-savvy. Going paperless can help you reduce clutter and find information more quickly, but only if you use a digital filing system or organizational app to keep track of everything.
5. Overaccessorizing. It's generally fine to show some personality with your workspace decorations, but leave your teddy bear collection and gigantic cat posters at home.    
6. Being "crumb"y. Clear your desk of food wrappers, empty coffee cups and dirty plates. Wipe off your work surface after eating.
7. Cleaning just once or twice a year. Spend a few minutes at the end of each day straightening up your workspace so you can get a quick start in the morning.

About OfficeTeam
OfficeTeam, a Robert Half company, is the nation's leading staffing service specializing in the temporary placement of highly skilled office and administrative support professionals. The company has more than 300 locations worldwide. More information, including online job search services and the OfficeTeam Take Note blog (blog.officeteam.com), can be found at officeteam.com.

SOURCE OfficeTeam

Image with caption: "What Does Your Desk Say About You? (CNW Group/OfficeTeam)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150120_C3938_PHOTO_EN_10342.jpg

Naz Araghian, 416.865.2140, [email protected]