Rumour has it that our company is about to introduce a clear desk policy.
After working for over 16 years in this (IT) industry I don’t think I’ve ever had a clear desk. Even at college my work area has been less than clear.
I appreciate that for security reasons that you may leave some secure information on your desk, and also tidy desks give a better impression for visiting customers. My desk is (sort of) tidy, but it is not clear.
In the role I currently have I work on a number of contracts, sometimes up to 7 different ones a day and I have information about each of them on my desk. With the obvious exception of the secure contracts where all information is locked in drawers.
If I have to clear my desk, not just make it tidy, it’s either going to take a lot longer to find the information I need, or I’m going to have to completely change the way I work.
Do you have to comply to a clear desk policy? Have your personal work practices changed? Do you have any advice to someone who’s about to go ‘Clear Desk’?
