Welcoming employees back to the office? Here are 9 tips to give your workplace a fresh start

Many of us have not stepped foot in our offices for 2 years. It’s amazing to think about all the file cabinets full of paper that we left behind (along with shoes, umbrellas, and coffee mugs) that we haven’t needed, or missed, in all the intervening months. As we return to our workspaces, now is the time to question if we still see value in the contents of those file cabinets.  

Let’s declare the days of a “keep everything culture” over! Consider these 9 tips for how you can take this opportunity for compliant “spring cleaning” to foster a newer, fresher way of working.

Tip 1: Approach your office space with a new frame of mind 

The way you work is predominantly more digital, so reassess the mindset, or workflow, that prompted you to store paper in your work area. Consider new policies for hybrid/remote work options and how your space will be optimized to accommodate more flexible ways of working.

Tip 2: Develop a strategy for tackling your file drawers and cabinets 

You’ll need to approach official records differently from non-official ones. Make sure your Records and Information Management (RIM) rep and your manager approve of your methodology. And you may want to engage with your Real Estate team to understand their plans for the space.

Tip 3: Weed out non-records that you’ve kept “just in case”

It’s easiest to start with the “containers” that are used for non-records such as reference materials, convenience copies, and drafts before tackling those with official records. Refer to your RIM policy to determine how to dispose of these documents.

Tip 4: Review official business records to determine retention requirements

Evaluate your remaining official records to decide if they need to be retained any longer per your Records Retention Schedule. Consult your RIM rep if you have any questions about this step. If the records are eligible for destruction, follow your RIM policy. There may be instances when they could be imaged, anonymized, and used for data analysis purposes. Check with your RIM rep if unsure.

Tip 5: Take the opportunity to decide what can be digitized

Records that have not met their retention requirement must be kept for as long as indicated in your Records Retention Schedule. Now may be the time to digitize them for easier access in a hybrid, flexible work environment, as well as for potential use in ML/AI initiatives. Consult your RIM rep to determine if the paper can be securely destroyed once imaged, which is most often the case.