Are Photos on the Office Desk Dying Out?

LONDON, February 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Only 24% of UK office workers have photographs on their desk, according to a recent survey by leading office design company Maris Interiors; down from 29%, when the survey was last carried out in 2010. Of those employees who keep photos at work, just under a half (49%) have them framed, with other people choosing to pin them to walls or noticeboards (27%) or stick them to computer monitors (12%).

Unsurprisingly, the majority of those who have photos at their desks have pictures of loved ones - with partners and family photos making up 84%. Pets were the next most common subject of photos, at 12%. Two employees surveyed had pictures of their car, and one had a photo of his house.

Bosses aren't to blame for the falling numbers of people having photos at work: only 4% of those surveyed said that there were rules discouraging personal photos. Chairman of Maris Interiors, Michael Howard said, "This could be explained by the huge recent increase in hot-desking: where multiple workers share the same desk to save space and optimising office usage. Also, most of us now have phones which allow us to have pictures as a background, which might negate the need for photos on our desks. Or maybe we're all just getting less romantic!"

NOTES FOR EDITOR

1. Maris Interiors LLP is the UK's leading specialist in workplace design and creation. The company design and create world class working environments for occupiers throughout the UK and continental Europe. Their team of experts have extensive and in-depth knowledge of how good design can substantially improve business performance, save substantial amounts of money and help retain and attract key people.
2. 376 office workers were surveyed across the UK, of whom 90 had photos on their desks. The survey was carried out between 6^th - 10^th February 2012.

CONTACT

For further information and images please contact:

ADAM KAY
MBBS BSc COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

E: adam.kay@maris-interiors.co.uk
D: +44(0)20-7902-1874
M: +44(0)7920-060182