Toilet rolls go missing as Australian workers bring the cost of living to the office

Toilet rolls, tissues and cleaning products are going missing from Australian offices. Some staff are also showering, washing clothes and cooking meals at work to cut their household bills.

That’s according to Brett McAllen, chief executive of @WORKSPACES, an Australian serviced office and flexible workspace provider with sites in Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast. He says employers are reporting heavier use of workplace showers, kitchens, power and supplies.

“The cost-of-living crisis has entered the office bathroom, kitchen and stationery cupboard,” Brett says.

Business owners have told him they’re “noticing staff showering at work more often, washing clothing in end-of-trip facilities, cooking meals that would normally be prepared at home, charging multiple devices and even taking toilet rolls and other supplies home”.

Their own bills for power, water, cleaning and maintenance are climbing at the same time. Brett, whose company rents out serviced space, says that squeeze is pushing some owners out of traditional offices altogether.

“Businesses are being squeezed from both directions. Their own costs are climbing while financially stressed employees are increasingly looking to the workplace to help reduce their household expenses.”

Where reasonable use ends

Brett says most of what staff do at work is fine.

“There is nothing unusual about cycling to work, having a shower, heating lunch or charging a phone,” he says.

“The issue arises when staff begin using workplace facilities specifically to avoid using water, power or appliances at home.”

He says those savings come at someone else’s expense. “These behaviours might save an employee a few dollars, but they transfer the expense to the employer and can prevent other staff from using shared facilities.”

Office kitchens are a common flashpoint when they’re used for full meal preparation rather than drinks, storing food and reheating.

“Most office kitchens are not designed for somebody to prepare an entire family meal or occupy the microwave and bench space for extended periods,” Brett says.

He doesn’t want employers putting people off bringing food, though. “Employers should not discourage people from bringing food to work, particularly when buying lunch every day has become unaffordable for many workers. However, there must be reasonable limits around how workplace kitchens are used.”

Missing supplies put managers in an awkward spot.

“They do not want to accuse or embarrass employees, but those products are provided for use in the workplace, not to subsidise private households,” Brett says.

“One toilet roll may not seem significant, but repeated across a workplace, the costs accumulate. More importantly, it indicates that people may be under serious financial stress or that boundaries around shared resources have broken down.”

He says repeated incidents should be dealt with calmly and consistently, without intrusive surveillance or blaming people publicly.

“A workplace should not become a policing environment, but taking supplies home is different from reasonably using them while at work.”

Put it in a policy

Brett says many businesses have detailed policies on internet use and stationery but nothing on showers, kitchens, electricity or shared supplies.

“That needs to change because these facilities are becoming cost-of-living battlegrounds.”

He suggests a workplace policy covers these points.

· What showers and end-of-trip facilities are for

· Whether staff can wash clothes and other personal items onsite

· How long showers should run at peak times

· Which appliances staff can bring in

· Meal preparation and food storage

· Charging personal devices, batteries and transport equipment

· Hygiene and cleaning expectations

· Taking toilet paper, food or other supplies home

· How repeated misuse will be handled

Start with a conversation

Brett says a sudden change in someone’s behaviour can be a sign of financial hardship, and the first step should be a discreet, respectful conversation.

“If an employee suddenly starts showering at work every day, washing clothes in the bathroom or taking basic supplies home, there may be something serious happening in their life,” he says.

“Employers should not humiliate people who are struggling. They should set boundaries, offer appropriate support and ensure the rules apply consistently to everyone.

“Compassion and accountability can exist together. Staff should be supported, but the workplace cannot become a free substitute for running a household.”