For most office managers, it's a permanent topic: How do you get your colleagues to leave the office properly and file their documents? Requests or reminders usually run into the void. But there are a few simple ways to include the whole team in keeping the office tidy.

Do you have to ask your dear colleagues again and again to tidy up in their own workplace or the office kitchen? Being the guardian of the office organisation can be tiring. Usually, all employees feel the same way: the working day starts with a much better feeling of well-being when the working environment has been left tidy. A pleasant and above all decent office environment contributes to higher concentration, efficiency and motivation. The benefits of a clean office should not be underestimated.

Rule number 1: Visible guidelines

In order to keep all the work of one person’s shoulders, a few simple rules help, which apply equally to all employees. The first basic rule is: make these rules visible to everyone in the places that have to be tidy. This means that the tasks and handles that are otherwise always behind work can no longer be overlooked. Hang a beautifully texted and designed board or a poster clearly visible so that the entire office feels addressed by it. Clearly communicated and universally recognized office rules make colleagues help each other and remind to comply with them.

Rule number 2: Continuous organisational systems

Unify the general and individual organisational systems – from accounting to personal work areas. For this purpose, the necessary office equipment should be provided, from folders to storage boxes. Once learned rules, such as certain structures and colour systems in the storage or file folders, can be better imprinted and established. A continuous organizational system also creates a visual structure. This creates a harmonious office ambience.

Rule number 3: Less is more

In an overly packed workplace, it is much harder to maintain clean. Stay more minimalist. When the desk utensils are reduced to the necessary things, it is easier to keep track of the workplace. In order to avoid dense file jams and chaotic scrambles on the table, it is helpful to sort out regularly and keep only the most important at hand. Simple storage systems with a few subfolders as well as coloured trays or boxes with clear markings, such as date and topic, help to identify the correct assignment more quickly. For the tidy workspace, there's another unbeatable argument: a chaotic desk reduces productivity.

Rule number 4: Keep the office tidy together

A beautiful office ambience increases well-being and contributes to a good working environment. It is therefore important to make it clear to colleagues that respect for a certain basic order has only positive effects for each individual and that all employees feel more personally comfortable. In other words: making them aware of the benefits of a clean office. Regular joint action on governance is not only appropriate, but also promotes a positive link between organisation and effect. This can be, for example, a joint spring cleaning or the end-of-month cleaning. A small prize for the best department spurs the teams among themselves and brings a good portion of fun to the order action. The before-and-after experience will not miss the effect.