How Can I Address Excessive Tissue Paper Waste in the Office Without Upsetting Employees?

Dear Friends, I have been working as an HR Manager for 7 years.

Issue of Tissue Paper Waste in the Office

Today at my office, I saw an employee using more than three pieces of paper at once to wipe her mouth and then disposing of them in the trash within seconds. I approached her politely to inquire what had happened, if she was feeling tense, or if something was wrong. This prompted her to ask why I had called and counseled her for such a minor action. She failed to recognize the error in wasting office tissue paper, indicating that it shouldn't matter.

Seeking Advice on Addressing Tissue Paper Waste

I question whether I made a mistake. I hope I didn't err, but I seek advice on how to address this issue in the office, as female employees are using excessive tissue paper and wasting it.

Kindly advise.

Thanks,
Vidhya
HR Manager

Dear Vidhya,

A phrase in English says: "Many a little makes a mickle." It teaches us the importance of being thrifty. One has to be parsimonious while spending one's money or resources. In many homes in Asian and African countries in general, and India in particular, parents inculcate a sense of thrift in their children. Creating usable things even from waste is common. However, being thrifty is one's choice. Not necessarily all poor families exercise caution while spending their money or resources. They are spendthrift without any remorse.

From your post, it appears that you expected others to follow caution while consuming resources. However, the other employee had a different perception. She hardly cared for a tissue paper that cost less than fifty paise a piece.

The difference in perceptions came to the fore when you called her to your office and questioned her for consuming two additional tissue papers. An average employee could become upset if he or she is a victim of micromanagement, and your female colleague was no exception. In return, she questioned your counseling or paternalistic attitude.

Vidhya, please note that an organization has people of all hues. Their backgrounds are different. They are brought up in different sub-cultures. While working together, each member has to reconcile with the divergence that it brings in its wake.

Organizations focus strongly on cost-cutting, and they expect their employees to curtail the wastage of resources. However, members are expected to focus on meaningful costs like the cost of poor quality (COPQ), cost of rework, costs arising out of poor workmanship, etc. Added to these are the costs incurred because of poor coordination, poor teamwork, lack of decisiveness, poor delegation, etc. If one focuses on these meaningful costs, the thought of the cost of consumption of the extra two tissue papers will not occur at all!

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Ok, seriously? You, an HR manager of 7 years, actually reprimanded someone for using too many tissues? It looks petty and, frankly, if I were the lady in question, I would be evaluating either whether to work there or whether you have any grievance against her.

Thrift and Waste Management

Thrift is a good thing, and avoiding wastage is also good, but it is better to tackle that through a wider campaign rather than putting it on one person. Is there a general trend towards something? Perhaps try an awareness campaign?

Generational Differences in Value Systems

Please understand that people's value systems are different. The younger generation, growing up with the use-and-throw concept, do not care for these things. On the other hand, those who are aggressive on ESG and Climate Change among the same younger generation are probably going to refuse to use paper towels and instead opt for their own personal napkins.

Conclusion on the Matter

Regarding the original matter, I think it was wrong of you to reprimand or even take up such a minor matter and make an issue of it.

Dear Vidhya,

Do not provide anything for free that costs the company. You can offer essential welfare at a minimal level, but do not hesitate to charge for misuse and usage beyond the minimum. You should establish office policies to charge for excess and wastage of materials provided for free, exceeding the fixed quantity, to prevent such unpleasant situations or the need to reprimand each employee individually. Your actions are appropriate, and you can also communicate via email instead of discussing face to face.

Vidhya, I agree with Mr. Dinesh and Saswata Banerjee. In fact, in many organizations, employees, even at senior levels, waste many resources, including keeping the AC on when they go out for a meeting or lunch but switch off the lights, etc. Though I personally don't advocate wasting any resources, including food, it is not advisable to reprimand an employee directly for excessive usage of tissue papers. This could have been handled a little more gently and in a sophisticated manner.

Awareness Campaign for Resource Conservation

However, looking ahead, you can plan for an awareness campaign for all employees regarding the waste of any resources in the organization. As it is said, each person has been brought up in a different environment, culture, and with different value systems. One may feel it is wrong to waste something, but another may not even feel that it is a mistake. However, things need to be addressed from the organization's perspective. Always discuss with your boss before initiating any such action or releasing any notice or communication to ensure that you are acting correctly. Anyways, please do not regret your actions; after all, you have done it with good intentions only.