Managing a Slob

Have you ever had to manage a slob, or are you managing one now? Perhaps you have an employee whose workstation is constantly buried beneath stacks of papers and strewn with used coffee cups, snack wrappers, and yogurt containers. Or maybe you have an employee who leaves dishes and mugs in the breakroom sink and spills on the counter, and who leaves food in the fridge until it grows legs and can walk away. Or perhaps you have an employee who arrives at work each day rumpled and wrinkled. It can be uncomfortable or awkward to tell an employee that they have a tidiness problem. But that is exactly what you must do. This article argues that tidiness of both physical spaces and personal appearance is a fundamental requirement for employees. It explores the psychology of slobbery and some of the most likely reasons why an employee may bring sloppy habits to the workplace. It addresses the importance of being a tidiness role model for your employees and suggests five practices to put in place before approaching a messy employee. It also suggests specific strategies to use when addressing an untidy desk or workspace, an untidy staff kitchen or breakroom, and an employee’s untidy appearance. Finally, this article provides six tips for establishing a culture of tidiness and more than a dozen office cleanliness etiquette guidelines for you to share with your employees.