Is a "clean desk" the sign of an efficient, well-organized, productive employee, or an indicator of something else? Many employees have work surfaces free of clutter. Others always have stacks of paperwork, telephone messages, and other assorted stuff. If a cluttered desktop is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is an empty desktop the sign of?

CONFLICTING REPORTS

There are several studies and considerable anecodal information concerning the neatness of workplaces. Managers would like to have definitive answers concerning employee organizational practices, and which approaches work best. Unfortunately, as is the case with most human behavioral matters, clearcut answers are elusive. The following is a sampling of some studies and expert opinions.

Staffing agency Ajilon reports that "just 11% of workers earning over $75,000 a year call themselves neat freaks, compared to 66% of those making $35,000 or less."(Mina Kimes, Fortune, October 8, 2008, CNNMoney.com.) So is neatness inversely correlated with income? Probably not. However, organization ability and styles vary considerably.

David Freedman, a self-appointed "mess analyst" and author, says the concept of organization is context-bound.. "People do better when they're in their natural state - neat or messy." (Kimes, Fortune) This indicates that when you force people out of their comfort zone they may be less productive, even when their behavior is at odds with conventional, or optimally desired practice.

Herman Miller, the office furniture supplier conducted a study of workplace organizational habits and found that '"filers' actually stored more useless information than their unkempt counterparts." They also identified a group of "'work masters,' particularly efficient employees, and reported that those employees were more inclined towards "piling than filing." (The Miller finding seems counter-intuitive, although "out of sight, out of mind" may apply here.)

On the other hand, some studies suggest that as much as fifteen percent of your time can be wasted with a messy desk, because you may be distracted by things or unable to easily find things.

And, many managers nave learned to use technology to organize themselves. They are comfortable with having files, reports, and data on their desktop, laptop, or Blackberry.

IS IT ALL RELATED TO INDIVIDUAL LEARNING and THINKING STYLES?

People have different learning styles, such as Visual, Auditory, or Kinesthetic, they like to See, Hear, or Touch. Some employees prefer to see their work, and use post-it notes, paperwork, postings on their cubicle walls, etc. Others prefer conversations, instructions, dialog, etc. Still others need to feel, touch and experience. How much these preferences translate into organizational characteristics, remains to be seen. It seems likely, however, that that those who like to touch will want their work around them, and those who like to see, may as well.

Another factor that may enter into the equation is the "Right Brain"/ "Left Brain" theory ("Left brain/.right brain" Science Weekly, vol. 19, Issue 10, January 24, 2003. pp. 1-12). You will recall that left brained people are more organized, rational, methodical, and linear thinkers, while right brainers are more unconventional, random, intuitive, and creative. Guess which ones are likely to have the messiest desks?

PRACTICAL ANALYSIS

Some managers equate clean work surfaces with well-organized, efficient, and productive employees, while others believe it's a sign of "too little to do."

It's probably simplistic to draw any conclusions about a person's capabilities, productivity, effectiveness, or personality from the appearance of their desk. So go ahead, mess up your desk, or make it tidy, either way you've got research to support your decision.

SOME USEFUL TIPS

Despite the conflicting data, an employee should consider these guidelines:

--Understand and respect your employer's expectations and policies

--When you're dealing with customers, or the public, the expectations for tidiness will probably be higher than if you're working in a back office

--Try using techniques and aids such as organizers, filing systems, in/out baskets, labeling, handling papers only once, etc.

--If you're technologically inclined, you probably already use computer and smartphone calendars, reminders and digital data storage and retrieval systems

--Don't be too hard on yourself, your style may not be the same as most employees, although you may function effectively

--If organizational abilities are "hardwired" as a part of our personality or thinking style, it may be a struggle to change

--If you're hopelessly unorganized you may require the assistance of a professional organizer (consultant)