A recent study by Harris Interactive, commissioned by CareerBuilder.com, shows that 28 percent of employers are less likely to “promote someone who has a disorganized or messy workspace.” This survey of 2,662 hiring managers and 5,299 workers reveals the hidden bias that employers have against promoting workers who appear to be unorganized or otherwise not in control of their workspace.    

Meanwhile, one-third of workers report that between 50 to 100 percent of their desktops or work spaces are covered with work and other materials. Some 36 percent report that they have files and papers on their desks dating back more than 12 months, and 13 percent report that the files and piles on their desks are five years or older. Amazingly, six percent of respondents admit to having files dating back more than 10 years.  

Competence or Appearance?

You could argue that appearance doesn't matter that much; it's the results that count. I agree. Yet, while handling an array of projects, even when workers are turning in positive results, if their work spaces are cluttered their bosses tend to have a negative view of the situation. All other things being equal, 38 percent of employers report that piles of paper covering a desk adversely impact their perception of that worker.

These findings tell us that the perception of how you work, independent of your results, does impact and influence others around you—not only your boss. Your team members, co-workers, administrative staff, peers, or visitors who come in contact with you might have a negative impression of your organizational skills.

In light of this information, can you afford to continue on the path of appearing disorganized, even if you are otherwise a highly competent professional?

Increase Your Odds   

Tilt the odds in your favor. Do a great job at work, and convey to others that you have the ability to control your workspace. Filing is not rocket science. Keeping a clear desk on any given day requires no more than five or 10 minutes of housekeeping. If you have shelves, file drawers, desk drawers, or any other place where you can park folders and documents, use them. 

It is easy enough to set up a simple system for retrieval: simply label the file folders with the most appropriate name, and file them in alphabetical order. Keep your flat surfaces—your desktop, table, or other workspace—clean and clear. You'll be better able to stay focused on the task at hand, and more accomplished day after day, while conveying to your bosses and others that you are in control of your space. 

Go Digital

Even better, work on getting rid of paper altogether and move towards digital solutions. However, it's important not to transfer your mess on-line. So, be sure to plan out what and how you are going to access various files and data.  Develop good file-naming habits and utilize file-sharing and collaborative work spaces to cut down on the use of e-mail.  Going digital is a topic that warrants an entire article, but these are some good first steps!

Getting organized takes time and effort upfront, but pays dividends for years to come.