They've just locked the stationary cupboard

[swamp]

Every time things are about to go bad at a client site it always starts with them locking the stationary cupboard. It's a sign. It means the budget is so screwed they can't even trust people not to exceed their Biro quota.

Well they've just locked the cupboard here, and it wasn't exactly a treasure trove with anything worth pilfering. They buy only the cheapest no-name paper and pens, which usually don't work.

[Mich the Tester]

Every time things are about to go bad at a client site it always starts with them locking the stationary cupboard. It's a sign. It means the budget is so screwed they can't even trust people not to exceed their Biro quota.

Well they've just locked the cupboard here, and it wasn't exactly a treasure trove with anything worth pilfering. They buy only the cheapest no-name paper and pens, which usually don't work.

Yep, around here you’re allowed one paper serviette in the canteen, and must provide a reason for having two. I expect the soft bog roll will shortly be replaced with that nasty tracing paper that just spreads everything around instead of absorbing one’s shytte.

Always a laugh to see large companies attempting to save money. The radical idea of scrapping a few layers of management would never take off, but denying people a bic biro or a paper serviette; that’s the way to go.

[expat]

Yep, around here you’re allowed one paper serviette in the canteen, and must provide a reason for having two.

In IBM Frankfurt you're allowed 2: after that it's 0,50€ each

Swamp is right IMHO: it's a leading indicator.

[Mich the Tester]

In IBM Frankfurt you're allowed 2: after that it's 0,50€ each

Swamp is right IMHO: it's a leading indicator.

50 bloody eurocents for a serviette?

All the more reason to raid the bogs for paper.

[voodooflux]

Every time things are about to go bad at a client site it always starts with them locking the stationary cupboard. It's a sign.

It is indeed - two previous ClientCo's instigated a policy of having to sign for stationery just before the company went under.

[TimberWolf]

This is a worrying development and a sure sign of redundancies to come. Possibly even a signal that the company is insolvent. It's a well known fact that people facing redundancy will raid the stationary cupboard as soon as they get wind of it and the company may well be pre-empting a raid. On the other hand someone may just have left the cupboard locked by accident?

[expat]

50 bloody eurocents for a serviette?

All the more reason to raid the bogs for paper.

I think it's an enabling rule: they don't actually slap it on you for taking 3 instead of 2 (they are Germans, not Swiss), but if you want to take a few dozen back to your desk, that's how they persuade you not to.

[norrahe]

It is indeed - two previous ClientCo's have made people sign for stationery just before the company went under.

yep, one of my clientco's started making people redundant and it all started with rationing the stationery.

[BrilloPad]

A stationary cupboard will be locked as it it not moving.

Or did you mean stationery(with pens, paper etc)?

[BlasterBates]

I've only experienced that once, and the company was bankrupt within 6 months. Locking the stationary cupboard, usually happens after a crisis meeting.