It wasn’t that many years ago, when you got an office job with a new company, you were given supplies to work with.<\/p>\n
Somebody would come by with a box containing a stapler, some Post-It notes, tape, paperclips and maybe a ruler and scissors.<\/p>\n
Or at least they’d tell you where the supply cabinet is.<\/p>\n
Not any more.
\nIn most cases there is no supply cabinet anymore.<\/p>\n
I had a new employee come in my branch yesterday and she got nothing but a desk, chair, phone and welcome from me.<\/p>\n
It used to be you could tell the financial health of your company by when it started counting paperclips.<\/p>\n
But since not too many hand them out anymore, that statistic is gone.<\/p>\n
You need those things.
\nWho doesn’t?<\/p>\n
You’re expected to schlep down to the store and buy them.
\nOn your own time.<\/p>\n
Companies used to hand out pads of paper for folks to write down notes, or phone numbers, or whatever.<\/p>\n
And if you were upper management they had your name printed on the top.
\nSame deal – get your own.<\/p>\n
Sure, you can write it off your taxes and as non-reimbursed tool.
\nBut why bother, it’ll only drop your tax due by a dollar, if you’re lucky.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile the company is saving thousands.<\/p>\n
Most companies preach life-work balance and how important it is to have family time and outside interests.<\/p>\n
Then it gives you extra work that demands nights and weekends to get done within the timeline handed out with it.<\/p>\n
But don’t work extra because the overtime isn’t approved.<\/p>\n
Monday the guy wanders in asking if that report might be ready.<\/p>\n
With the economy the way it is today, no one is going to turn down work for life-work balance and not look like a team player.<\/p>\n