How to Report an Employee Not Keeping Their Office Clean

No one likes to live or work in an area that is so cluttered and messy that they need to step over things to get the job done. In your own home, you have the power to organize and clean the area to meet your own standards, but in the workplace this usually isn't the case. Perhaps you have control over your own workspace, but when you share space with another employee who sets different standards than your own, you may experience stress and have the driving urge to report his behavior to your supervisor. While this is certainly an option, there are some things you can try before resorting to measures that are sure to create hard feelings and increase the stress level in your work environment.

Instructions

1. Examine your own feelings carefully. Is the other person a real slob who never cleans up after herself or are you trying to hold her to unrealistic expectations? If the mess interferes with your ability to get the job done or poses a health or safety hazard, then you are probably justified in your concerns.

2. Evaluate the nature of the issue. Saying the person is a slob and never cleans up his mess isn't going to hold much weight when you approach the boss. Be specific about your concerns. A messy desk isn't grounds for reprimand from superiors no matter how annoying you may find it. Unsafe work habits are.

3. Express your concerns to the other employee and give her time to correct the issue. Don't assume she will ignore your concerns. She may well be unaware of how her habits are affecting you or may be so overwhelmed with the daily tasks of the job that she simply can't get things organized.

4. Offer to help if he expresses a desire to change but doesn't know where to begin. Not only will this be seen as a positive gesture, if the time comes when you do need to report the employee, your efforts to correct the problem before reporting it to the supervisor will give your concerns credibility.

5. Avoid being overly critical and don't expect the other person to keep her area in the same order you do. As hard as it may be for you to believe, your need for order and cleanliness may be just as annoying to her. Everyone functions differently and has their own organizational style. Respect the fact that your style differs from your fellow worker.

6. Report the issue to your supervisor if all your efforts have failed and you believe there are serious health or safety issues. State the facts clearly and non-judgmentally. Explain the efforts you have made to rectify the situation and the results of those efforts. If you have seen improvement be sure to include that too.

7. State your expectations clearly. Rather than simply complaining, tell your supervisor specifically what you expect him to do about the issue, otherwise you run the risk of being seen as a complainer tattling on other employees. Not only will this hurt your relationship with the boss, it also will ultimately damage your relationship with your co-workers. Keep the conversation with your supervisor focused on health or safety violations and refrain from making negative remarks about the person.

8. Follow up with a written report to your boss if she does not take action to correct safety or health issues. Once you have your concerns in writing, you have documentation that you have reported the issue. Should problems arise or you face quitting your job because of unsafe conditions, you will have the evidence you need to support your claims.

References

• On the Job Safety