In addition, uncluttered workplaces mean employees can easily find what they need and perform their jobs more efficiently, which saves time and money on all fronts. Suggestions for working toward a less cluttered work environment include the fol-lowing 10 tips: 1. Clutter-free tip one Make sure that each office contains enough file cabinets or drawer space to handle papers. 2. Clutter-free tip two Establish a purge and shred day so that old files are cleared. It simply isn’t possible to continue to add to a cabinet and never remove items. This will allow cluttered stacks in offices to find homes. 3. Clutter-free tip three Add labeled “in” boxes for each desk. A wall pocket safely corrals incoming mail and papers without adding more desktop clutter. 4. Clutter-free tip four Provide more paper recycling locations and shred box locations in the office. If it is convenient to use these, individuals are less likely to create stacks at each desk. 5. Clutter-free tip five Desktop file holders are great for storing and retrieving active projects rather than having them in numerous stacks across the desk. 6. Clutter-free tip six Company policies can help remove and prevent clutter so that cleaning crews can do their jobs. A policy prohibiting the storage of items on the floor not only promotes safety, but it also creates a neat environment. If an employee needs a storage cabinet or bookcase, then address those needs rather than allow piles to be stacked on the floor under and around desks. 7. Clutter-free tip seven If an overabundance of personal items, desktop toys and knick-knacks make it dif-ficult to clean and offer a cluttered appear-ance, company policies can easily allow for individuality, but with certain limitations. Personal items and framed photos should be limited to a certain number. 8. Clutter-free tip eight Organize office supplies in containers or drawer dividers so they are easy to find and use. 9. Clutter-free tip nine Only keep items used daily out on desks. Store items used occasionally inside desk drawers or cabinets. 10. Clutter-free tip 10 Label everything from the outside of file drawers to the inside edges of supply cabinet shelves to keep everything orga-nized. Time is lost daily as employees look for things they know they have, but just don’t know where they currently reside. The time spent de-cluttering and organiz-ing your office space will be made up in increased productivity. And, no clutter means that cleaning crews can easily provide the professional cleaning services they were hired to do. CM Circle Product Information no. 208 on page 24 www.cmmonline.com 31
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