When household budgets tighten with the cost-of-living crisis, some Australian workers are treating the office supply cupboard as an extension of their own pantry, and the humble toilet roll has become the most popular item to leave the building at knock-off time.
Workplace expert Brett McAllen says employers across the country report toilet rolls, tissues, soap and cleaning products disappearing from offices at a pace that exceeds normal wear and tear. “The cost-of-living crisis has entered the office bathroom, kitchen and stationery cupboard,” says McAllen.
Managers who spot the pattern face an awkward dilemma, because nobody wants to accuse a colleague of pocketing a roll of two-ply while the business carries climbing bills for power, water and cleaning. A missing roll can say more than it first appears. “More importantly, it indicates that people may be under serious financial stress or that boundaries around shared resources have broken down,” adds McAllen.
Why policy beats policing
McAllen urges employers to address repeated incidents with calm consistency and to avoid intrusive surveillance or public blame. “Compassion and accountability can exist together,” he says. “Staff should be supported, but the workplace cannot become a free substitute for running a household.”
He sees a gap in many organisations, where detailed rules cover internet access and stationery while washrooms and kitchens go unaddressed. “Many businesses have detailed policies governing internet access and stationery, but nothing covering the use of showers, kitchens, electricity or shared supplies,” explains McAllen. His suggested policy topics include taking toilet paper, food and other workplace supplies home, along with the way managers handle repeated misuse.
For cleaning contractors and facility managers, the trend is relevant, because washroom consumables sit among the first budget lines to climb when supplies walk out the door. Regular usage reviews, clear dispenser arrangements and open conversations with clients about consumable costs give cleaning teams a head start on spotting unusual patterns and protecting hygiene standards for every building occupant.
