I can understand your desperation in attempting to find ways and means to get employees to keep their workstations tidy. I presume gentle suggestions, pointed reminders, and subtle threats have not worked, and alas, the net result is a disorganized and shabby work environment.
Frankly, employees have to be motivated from within in matters of tidiness and self-discipline. However, a simple beginning can be made by emphasizing the maxim 'A place for everything and everything in its place.' This would follow the dictum that what is frequently used is kept on the desk or close to the desk so that it is within reach. Those items required less frequently should be kept further away, and the rarely used stuff out of sight but in an accessible place. Perhaps you can occasionally visit people and compliment them on a clean desk to motivate them. Conversely, when you walk up to untidy desks, you can attempt to put the desks in order after seeking their permission so that the message becomes more emphatic that a tidy desk is good corporate culture.
Implementing the 5'S System
If you want to implement a more professional system, then you would have to go for the 5'S system, which is part of Kaizen. Broadly, that would require implementation as follows:
- Sort: the first step in making things cleaned up and organized
- Set In Order: organize, identify, and arrange everything in a work area
- Shine: regular cleaning and maintenance
- Standardize: make it easy to maintain - simplify and standardize
- Sustain: maintaining what has been accomplished
I hope these tips can help you get your employees motivated to be organized, tidy, and more productive.
Best Wishes