by Elmica Roberts

Created on: August 17, 2010

The office is a place which can get cluttered very easily. Files, papers, personal stuff and office equipment can easily accumulate on desks, making the office look untidy and messy. A neat office will encourage efficient and accurate work from the staff. 

Even though you may not have the time to tidy your desk while working, it is always a good idea to leave the office cleared so that coming to work the next day, you will be able to start the working day with an uncluttered desk. Much of the work done by office personnel such as secretarial or clerical work, is performed at a desk. The following are five ways to reduced clutter from the office. 

Office Equipment 

Office equipment such as the computer central processing unit (cpu) should not be placed on the desk but should be positioned in a separate place, probably under the desk. This will not only serve to reduce visible clutter, but will also leave a lot of empty space which can be used as a work area on the desk. 

Files 

Any files which are currently not being used or which are not needed immediately, should be marked as “put away” or “pa” and sent to the Registry Section. If there are files which are needed at a specific date, they should be marked as “bring up” or “bu” with the date of when they are required and sent for filing.  Files on desks tend to accumulate, so a desk clear up from time to time will eliminate any unnecessary clutter.

Desks with drawers 

If desks have drawers attached to them, any miscellaneous items such as spare stationery, documents and personal items like cds, could be placed in them. Unfortunately drawers can also be used to “hide” unfinished work, therefore the office manager should  always be alert for any such abuses from certain members of the staff.

 Electrical wires 

Wires belonging to telephones, computers, heaters, cooling fans and other equipment should be positioned in a safe place away from harm’s way. In offices which are visible to customers like Estate Agents, Banks and, Travel Agencies, care should be taken to position wires behind appropriate casings so as to eliminate any visible clutter which makes the office look very unattractive. 

Office Furniture 

Any chairs not belonging to the office which were burrowed to temporary accommodate a customer or a visitor, should be taken back to the place they were burrowed from.  Desks should be attractively positioned and any desk which is not in its correct position due to unintended moving, should be repositioned to be realigned with the other desks, making the visual appearance of the office more attractive. 

The office is the centre of productivity and should be maintained with care, eliminating any unnecessary clutter which my lead to staff distractions.

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