You might not do it yourself, but you probably know someone who does: steal office supplies. It's more common than you might think, according to a new survey.
Nearly one in five workers reports taking office supplies for personal use in the past year, and only 21 percent of paper-clip pilferers and rubber-band robbers felt guilty or regretted the theft.
The primary justification workers cited was needing the supplies for their own use, and nearly one-third said their boss gave them permission to raid the supply closet. Another 15 percent said no one would ever notice, according to the survey by Spherion Corp., a recruiting and staffing firm.
The most popular items to swipe were pens, pencils and rulers, followed by paper, sticky notes and file folders.
Higher-paid workers and younger employees admitted to the most workplace thievery.
Nearly one-quarter of workers earning more than $75,000 annually reported taking office supplies, along with 25 percent of workers aged 18-24.
The survey was based on a sample of more than 2,000 employed adults who were polled in May.
Source: Greensboro News Record. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. Powered by Yellowbrix.
Do you run your own business? We've got deductions you shouldn't miss.
What's the most important part of your job security? Some say it's workplace politics.
What's everyone talking about at ThirdAge? Find out with twice-weekly issues of our Community Connections newsletter, where real readers like you voice their opinions!
