How to Stick to 'Clean-Desk' Policy

Clean Desk Policy or CDP means a directive by the corporate to the employee that specifies how they should leave their workspace while leaving the office. Most of these CDPs suggest to their employees to clean their desks of any litter or paper at the end of the day. CDP over the years has changed according to the change in technology and how office work generally. CDPs have also taken into consideration increasing data theft and security concerns apart from just cleanliness of desks.

Initially, CDPs had been a part of management policy in number of corporates and employees had adhered to the directives over the years. The offices used to recommend spic and span policy in order to look clutter free and professional. This, as said, has changed into more of security compliance and data protection regulation nowadays. While CDP is not at all difficult to adhere once the tasks and objectives are clear; one needs to be disciplined about it to make it successful.

In order to be effective, a Clean Desk Policy should be clearly put in writing about the actions the employees need to take each day. It should look like a signed agreement between the employer and the employee outlining what is expected from the employee, how it should be monitored, objectives, and consequences of non-compliance by the employee.

Employees should adhere to the principle of clearing their workspaces at the end of the day while they leave the offices and employers should arrange for proper waste disposal, paper shredders and storage units to the employees. The employer can task the supervision to the manager or floor supervisor who can check the workspaces daily end of the day. This will ensure no loss of information or data, destroying or confistication of files, storage media or papers that have been left by the employees on their desk.

The consequences of CDP non-compliance could be a simple warning to a penalty depending upon the amount of non-adherence or risk associated with the same.