Aside from office supply stores, there’s no place that offers a wider selection of “bounty” than the workplace. And therein lies a temptation that every office supply junkie will face at some time or another: to be or not to be an office “‘supply jacker”.
Yep, we’ve all been there. Whether it’s the first day of work and you receive an all-access pass to get what you need for your new desk, making routine trips to re-stock low supplies for yourself or your co-workers, or you just happen to mosey on in the supply room “by accident.” Jacking (also referred to as borrowing, taking, pilfering, or some other politically correct substitution for thievery) office supplies is a serious problem according to a recent survey conducted by Office Max in conjunction with Kelton Research.
The Problem
According to the May 2010 report, a whopping eighty-one percent of employed Americans who reported supplies missing, responded that the supplies that most often disappear into thin air include pens, pencils, or highlighters. (Undoubtedly, my personal favorites.) Other missing supplies included paper products (35%), paper or binder clips (28%), staplers (22%) and scissors (20%). Bringing up the rear were tape dispensers, printer ink (really?) and binders. Where do people hide this stuff?
The Sources
Coworkers- We’ve all experienced that menacing moment when we’ve sighted our beloved writing instruments or other supplies in the grubby paws of a sticky-fingered co-worker or manager. Hmph! Immediately we jump into action, gracefully yet sternly asserting that… ah hem… “Sorry, but that’s my property you have there. ” And of course they say “sorry”, they didn’t mean to take it (or they stew inside that you noticed before they had a chance to slither away with it). But, I digress.
According to the report, four in ten people admitted to being those “grubby pawed, sticky fingered” co-workers I referred to, admitting they borrow supplies from colleagues and never return them. Twenty-six percent said they didn’t think their coworkers would miss it (I beg your pardon!), while the remaining (23%) say they are out for revenge, taking supplies because in the past their colleague had also done the same to them! (With co-workers like this, who needs enemies?)
The Excuses
What supply jackers lack in integrity they more than make up for in excuses.
30% – say they were only “borrowing” and had intentions on bringing the supplies back (umm, hmm)
25% – believed their employer wouldn’t miss it (don’t they know Big Brother is always watching?)
27% - took supplies because for whatever reasons, it was easier to take them from work rather than purchase their own (plain ole lazy)
24%- just didn’t have the time to purchase their own supplies (poor time managers=jackers?)
Where Does It All Go?
So, the question is: where do all these supplies go once they’ve been jacked? The survey reports that nearly six in ten people take the products home for personal use. (Stop trying to peel the label off that stapler and keep reading)
The Solution
When the office supplies get going, employed Americans take serious measures to ensure they are not victims of jackers.
59% – of workers keep their beloved office supplies in a “special designated drawer” (isn’t that, well…special?)
45% stash their goodies in a “secret space” (secret + workplace=impossible)
51% order extra supplies so they are always stocked (in this economy, is that still an option?)
31% go so far as to include their contact information (how nerdy, sounds like something I would do)
Interesting Facts
Women are more serious about the protection of their office supplies, with 73% of women compared to 63% of men stating they’ve taken steps to guarantee their er…safety
Of those surveyed, almost one in seven (69%) equate a product’s performance to its specialty. While quality (66%), value (47%), innovation (41%) and aesthetics (25%) were also cited as factors.
Are you guilty of swiping office supplies, intentionally or unintentionally? Do you feel bad about it or consider it par for the course when working for an employer? Do you know a jacker that is shameless in their pursuit of office loot? Let me know. I won’t tell a soul. 
