As a reporter, I get a free supply of notebooks and pens. It comes with the
job.
Apparently, many workers think so, too.
Nearly one in five workers admitted to stealing office supplies in the
past year, according to a recent survey of 1,630 U.S. employees by Spherion
Corp., a Fort Lauderdale recruiting agency. Brent Short, managing director
of Spherion, believes the figure is likely higher because some workers are
not admitting to pilfering.
Bev Rosen, president of Wellness at Work, a workplace training and
consulting firm in Lutherville, has found through her workplace civility
workshops that many workers don't think stealing office supplies is
unethical because "it's something everybody does and it doesn't hurt
anyone." Rosen says even managers have taken pens and pads home.
Still, 71 percent of workers surveyed said it's wrong to take pens,
pencils and folders from the supply cabinet.
Then why do workers do it?
Joshua Newberg, an associate professor who teaches business law and ethics
at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business, cites a
few reasons. The first is a worker's sense of entitlement.
"There are very few of us who feel that we get all the compensation and
all the perks that we want and need as part of doing our jobs," he says.
"So we feel entitled to take those things."
Newberg also believes the larger the organization, the less guilt a worker
feels about snatching file folders or legal pads for personal use.
Experts say it's a tricky situation all around.
Most companies crack down on the theft of company properties, such as
laptops and other big-ticket items, but experts say the line is less clear
when it comes to small things like pens and paper.
Human resource experts say managers need to set clear expectations of what
is and what is not acceptable when it comes to using and taking office
supplies.
"Once you've laid the groundwork, it's very appropriate to hold them
accountable," said Christine Walters, a human resources and employment law
consultant in Glyndon.
That means workers should think twice before raiding the supplies. Do you
really want to get burned over a bunch of pens?
Have an opinion on this topic or comments and questions on other sticky
workplace issues? Send them my way to working@baltsun.com. Please include
your first name and your city.
Hanah Cho is on vacation. Her column will return on July 31.
Online exclusive
Are pens, paper free for taking?
Study finds 1 in 5 workers admit to taking office supplies in past year
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