How much personal stuff do you keep at work?

[thyme4change]

For those of you who go into an office more days than not, and that office space isn't owned by you or attached to your house...

How much personal stuff do you keep there?  I've been at this company for a while so I've noticed that I've accumulated a bunch of personal stuff here.  I only noticed because we had a round of layoffs, and one guy picked up his briefcase and went home, while another guy spent at least 2 hours cleaning up his space.  Although I know I'm not going to be laid off any time soon, I'm wondering if I should eliminate everything but my coffee mug and one framed picture of my kids.  

So - what do you have?  Pictures, plants, things to make the place feel less sterile?  Do you have functional items - like a plate and fork, or even a fridge?  Or, is your personal stuff limited to items you carry in your pocket or purse each day?

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I have a random assortment of stuffed mice/rats/microbes on the shelf above my desk.  I have n10 pictures.   Only three are in frames, the others I taped to the bottom of the shelf.  The rest of my desk is filled up with various pieces of paperwork that have come to die.  I do a purge whenver I can't see the desk anymore.

[justme]

I have a beanie baby flamingo that a previous coworker gave me. That's probably the only real personal thing. The other non-work stuff I have is meds I take, candy, awards I won (from this company), a space heater and other stuff to keep me warm.

If I had more stuff here my office would just turn into a cluttered mess.

[kittensaver]

2 mugs, a water bottle, a corelle plate, a few pieces of silverware, a small collection of tea bags, a plant, a tiny sculpture of a seated meditating lion (!)(it's really cute), 4 framed photos, assorted badges, buttons, pins and tacks on my bulletin board, some framed posters/artwork I didn't want a home and would/will probably leave behind when I retire.

[hoops902]

I have a little 32oz bottle I use for water...that's it.  Not that my desk/walls aren't full of stuff, it's just company stuff, not personal stuff.

[thyme4change]

I actually bought the picture that is on my office wall, but it is just a cheap print that I have no real attachment to, and the frame was really cheap.  I think I might let that become company property.  I have a clock that was an award I won from this company - I might take it home and replace the clock we have there that I hate.  Besides, it would be nice if my kids could learn to read a clock.  

[wvugurl26]

I probably have way too much stuff. At my previous job when I was let go, it all fit in my regular work bag. I spent more time doing a final time sheet than packing up my office and hitting delete on my documents folder.

Here I have pen holder cup, 32 oz bottle for water, 2 glasses for soda refills from cafe, chlorox wipes, wall calendar, desk calendar, 3 WVU magnets, 2 WVU towels, cell phone charger, hairbrush, lint roller, anti bac, contact solution, tissues, lotion, nail file and clippers, band aids, gum, advil, aleve, little mirror, dayquil sinus, sudafed, hanger for my coat, 2 word magnet sets covering some of my cabinets, mockingjay pin, a couple award plaques and various snacks and plastic silverware.

In reality though if I was suddenly let go, I'd probably trash a lot of it like the ketchup packets.

[Deleted]

I have lots of pretty postcards that were given to me from DH (then BF) and my old boss from a former employer. I also have an old picture of DH and I, some old pictures of DS, a picture my mother, aunt, and a family friend took at Ft. Lauderdale, a card DS "made" for me for Mother's Day, the admission badges from Comic Con and PAX, a Hello Kitty calendar, an iPod player/radio, and some mugs and bowls. The people who have been here for longer than a year have at least 2 personal pictures/items in their cubes. The young, single guys are really the only people who seem to not have anything personal at work.

[swamp]

11 framed photos/diplomas on the wall
a name plate on my desk
7 small framed pics
2 bookshelves
briefcase
a desk full of shit
a bunch of books
a backpack full of workout clothes
my desk chair
my desk
one baseball bat with an evidence tag on it.

[Peace Of Mind]

Jul 22, 2013 13:28:05 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

2 mugs, a water bottle, a corelle plate, a few pieces of silverware, a small collection of tea bags, a plant, a tiny sculpture of a seated meditating lion (!)(it's really cute), 4 framed photos, assorted badges, buttons, pins and tacks on my bulletin board, some framed posters/artwork I didn't want a home and would/will probably leave behind when I retire.

That's not an office - that's an apartment! 

Back when I worked I could tell when I was getting unhappy at my job because I started bringing in more personal stuff to make it more bearable to be there. 

[HoneyBBQ]

I have a lot of books. Reference/text/etc. Books for work.

A few pictures of my kid.

A couple coffee mugs.

Some files.

A coat or sweater.

That's about it. About 3-4 boxes worth.

[kittensaver]

Jul 22, 2013 13:43:26 GMT -5 Peace Of Mind said:

Jul 22, 2013 13:28:05 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

2 mugs, a water bottle, a corelle plate, a few pieces of silverware, a small collection of tea bags, a plant, a tiny sculpture of a seated meditating lion (!)(it's really cute), 4 framed photos, assorted badges, buttons, pins and tacks on my bulletin board, some framed posters/artwork I didn't want a home and would/will probably leave behind when I retire.

That's not an office - that's an apartment! 

Back when I worked I could tell when I was getting unhappy at my job because I started bringing in more personal stuff to make it more bearable to be there. 

Yeah, well, I've been here 19 years . . . so I've settled in, lol. AND I hate throwing paper and plastic utensils away every day . . . .

[souldoubt]

The only personal stuff I keep at work is single file folder with items that pertain to me as an employee. 

[Abby Normal]

Jul 22, 2013 13:43:26 GMT -5 Peace Of Mind said:

Jul 22, 2013 13:28:05 GMT -5 kittensaver said:

2 mugs, a water bottle, a corelle plate, a few pieces of silverware, a small collection of tea bags, a plant, a tiny sculpture of a seated meditating lion (!)(it's really cute), 4 framed photos, assorted badges, buttons, pins and tacks on my bulletin board, some framed posters/artwork I didn't want a home and would/will probably leave behind when I retire.

That's not an office - that's an apartment! 

Back when I worked I could tell when I was getting unhappy at my job because I started bringing in more personal stuff to make it more bearable to be there. 

When I get unhappy at work, I take stuff home.  That way I can vacate in a matter of a few minutes if I need to.

I keep a couple pictures, some hand cream, and a few cans of soup.  Everything but the pictures are in one drawer.  I could in in a box and be out in less than 60 seconds.

[chiver78]

Jul 22, 2013 13:49:52 GMT -5 Abby Normal said:

When I get unhappy at work, I take stuff home.  That way I can vacate in a matter of a few minutes if I need to.

I keep a couple pictures, some hand cream, and a few cans of soup.  Everything but the pictures are in one drawer.  I could in in a box and be out in less than 60 seconds.

I took a bunch of stuff home a few years back when I was THISCLOSE to telling my boss to take a flying leap. I've got one box that I didn't bother to unpack the last time they shuffled the office, it's got my hand cream, snacks and tea bags I brought from home, and a box each of plastic knives/forks/spoons that I took fresh from the stash in the caf*. if I needed to vacate quickly, I'd take the utensils out and swap in the technical French-English dictionary I bought, and the folder in my file cabinet that contains the training certifications I've picked up over the years.

*there are far too many people in this building that I know do not wash their hands after using the restroom. I've 'caught' the women, my germ-phobe male colleague has 'caught' the guys. I'll keep my own stash, thanks.

[thyme4change]

I like the idea of having a box that holds all your stuff, especially if it is cute - it would appear like you are being organized, but also ready for a quick getaway.

Maybe something like this:

[Deleted]

I used to keep a shit ton of stuff at work, various toys, plaques, and things

but at this place I knew we would be moving bldgs. every 5 months for the first 1 and half years (don't axe), so I haven't put much out (just my little basketball net and mini nerf basket ball)

and now with all these crazy stories of places firing people by email and stuff I am thinking not to put my usual collection on display at work

[alabamagal]

I have had to move my office 4 times in the past 2 years.  Everything that I needed to move fit in one box - both personal and business.  Most of my personal stuff is not stuff I would miss - copies of pictures of my kids, a partial 12 pack of soda, a few snacks, one coffee mug.  All my work files are electronic.

[Deleted]

Frig and toaster oven.  A few pictures.

[muttleynfelix]

Along the lines of Swamp. I have a lot of references that I own, A space heater, lots of pictures, diploma and professional license, cups/mugs, a couple water bottles, tampons/pads, deodorant, contact solution, etc. It still wouldn't take me that long to pack up if needed, but I have quite a bit of stuff. I have been here 7 years and in this location for 5.

[thyme4change]

I have a hammer.  I think I'll take that home.  

[Malarky]

Jul 22, 2013 13:42:44 GMT -5 swamp said:

11 framed photos/diplomas on the wall
a name plate on my desk
7 small framed pics
2 bookshelves
briefcase
a desk full of shit
a bunch of books
a backpack full of workout clothes
my desk chair
my desk
one baseball bat with an evidence tag on it.

Have you personally used that item?

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2013 14:29:59 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I have a hammer.  I think I'll take that home.  

does everything look like a nail to you?

[thyme4change]

No, but several things look like my co-workers' faces.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I ave about five boxes worth. Two boxes are files that pertain to education but are my personal accumulation. I have three pictures frame that sit on a window sill, fabric covering a bulletin board, and ost of the organizational desk stuff is my own. I have a water bottle but no dishes or utensils. 
In my business, people get annoyed if they believe you're not invested which they perceive an impersonal office indicates. 

[Tired Tess]

I have a beautiful child angel on my desk and in the drawer a pencil case that keeps gum, cough drops, change, lip balm, and an emery board in it.

[bean29]

On my last job, I knew I was going to get laid off for several months.  I picked a day in my head and that day came and I got my lay off notice.

I had taken everything of value out of the office a long time in advance.  It took me awhile to leave, but it was respect for my co-workers that caused me to make sure everything was completed and filed appropriately.

Current Job, I would not say I have a lot here.  I brought a coffee mug.  It is not the one on my desk right now, and I probably won't track it down when I leave.  I have 2 sweaters, a space heater, a lamp and some pictures here.  Last week I had a few pairs of shoes.  They went home with me on the weekend.  I also have a lint roller, assorted makeup, moisturizers, Tea, OTC drugs, Lettuce in fridge, salad dressing, and salad toppers in my desk drawer.

I do not really have anything I am not willing to leave behind, but these are not the kind of people that would not allow me to clean out my office and I would have a lot of offers of help.

[thyme4change]

If I were laid off today, I wouldn't take anything.  I would make some poor schlump go through my office and send me anything left behind.  


(I've had to do that twice - once when someone quit and didn't take any of her personal stuff, and another time when a co-worker died.  I had to box up his stuff and send it to his wife.)

[milee]

Right after I left public accounting/consulting, I had an awesome job with an exciting company and for the first time...  my own office.  Felt like a huge luxury after always being at client sites.  Yes, I had an office at the accounting firm, but sometimes didn't go there for months, so it didn't feel like mine.  Anyway, I went a little overboard on the nesting and had a lot of junk in my new, loved office.  From a mini refrigerator to photos. 

Not only that but the office was only 3 miles from my house, so I often ran or roller bladed to work. 

Yeah, I had roller bladed to work on the day I was laid off.  Very tough to cart home a mini fridge when you've arrived at work on roller blades.  Awkward. 

[Deleted]

Where do I begin?  Everything in the room is actually mine except for textbooks, desks, a bookcase, and the computer.  Oh, and a comfy chair that I rescued and cleaned when the library remodeled. 

So I would fill the truck when I left.  I have a laser printer, a cd player, several dvds corresponding to what I teach (I wonder if I would really want to watch Macbeth or Frankenstein just for fun?), a folding table, a couple of cases of copy paper, clock, a rolling organizer with drawers, a stand fan, curtains, several dishes, silverware, tons of books . . .  well, you get the idea.  Many of the teachers have microwaves and mini-fridges.

My best friend and I have an agreement that if one of us dies, the other one will clean the room out after the funeral so the deceased won't become the butt of a lot of jokes.