Every new workplace I entered I noticed an all-too common pattern of disorganization from the start, which from the look of things, there was a lazy worker or manager somewhere lurking! I got that sinking feeling within the first hour and the voice within would say, "You won't be here for long. You know that you don't do well in cluttered office areas. There's a lazy and/or ineffective manager somewhere." My suspicions proved correct. Time and time again these were leaders who either burned out with trying to maintain everything (not just employees) or they simply stopped caring and was on to bigger or better things in their minds.
1) Cluttered Counter-tops
No one bothers to put anything back especially in the lunchroom? Things are left out, tables and counters are left dirty. No designated place for them when they are put away. So time is wasted looking for items. Management didn't enforce any rules on maintaining a clean, clutter-free work area.
2) Smelly Odors
I guess there wasn't enough money in the budget to keep the workspace area deodorized which caused people to bring things from home that were either too strong or not strong enough. In some areas, there was a multitude of nauseating scents.
3) Outdated Office Desks and Chairs
Looking around, I felt that in some of these work environments I was either in the 80s, 90s, or early 2000s. I really didn't like the retro look, I felt like we were stuck in someone's favorite time period who refused to move forward or make a difference in the present:(
4) Wrong Employees
Yes, there were plenty. You can tell the way they acted in the office and even the way they dressed, they didn't fit. Why were they still working in these places when they really didn't want to be there? I would send telepathic messages, "Find another job, find another job!" I think it worked.
5) Never-ending or delayed construction projects
There wasn't any start and finish time in place, there couldn't have been! I saw more contractors stop and start projects for long periods of time or maybe these companies were financially challenged, hmm, that's it. Can we say, "We need payment..."
6) Disorganized drawers and shelves
Now what exactly is going on in these spaces? Nothing. 20 plus years of paper work piles Pens that don't work. Dried up highlighters. Dated freebies with company names that no longer are in business. Files that were rarely opened or updated. Out-dated office equipment that had long broke. No one bothers to get rid of anything to make room for anything new (sigh).
7) Unclaimed shoes, coats and more.
The lost and found is just that! No one bothered to claim anything and no one is planning to do anything with the goods for fear that they will be labeled a "thief." It is okay to make announcement that within 30 days of the item being picked up, one is welcome to either rummage through those items or donate.
8) Dirty furniture
I never understood how anyone could continue to sit on something that no one knows where that stained came from or touch a chair that is obviously dirty while proceeding to shake someone's hand. Fabric furniture and carpeting are nothing more than dirt collectors. Companies should invest in furniture that can be easily wiped off with a soft cloth and flooring that all you need is a broom and a mop.
9) No cleaning supplies
I get it, many of these leaders don't want to get their hands dirty so they make sure that all cleaning supplies and trash bags are brought by the housekeeper. However, when things get dirty and trash needs to be emptied and there is no housekeeper for a time on the budget, wouldn't it make sense to step-it-up by a mop, a vacuum, trash-bags, and cleaning supplies and keep the office area clean? Oh, that's right leadership is too good for that, hmm.
10) Disorganized computer desktop and related files
What on earth is this? Way too many files saved on the desktop. One can't find a requested file, instructions, template, graphic design, nothing! No wonder the computer applications run slow! Is that an old 90s software program on here? I would love to clean this up, but do I want to touch the keyboard and mouse?
These were my first impressions of so many work areas. Let's clean house before we post ads on job boards. If you want the best to stick around, make that work environment look the best!
Nicholl McGuire maintains this blog and others such as an Organizer Blog and Bored? Looking for Things to Do?
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