Message #62564

[Cathy S]

I have a similar situation - if only there really were filing fairies that would just do it!  I wouldn't mind if we had a huge and complicated filing system with some kind of encrypted coding BUT we don't; we have a few folders titled with meaningful names (Bloggs Committee) with sub folders by year and everything is loose filed at the front of the folder - how hard can it be?

{Before you all jump up and down I know some will have more complex file systems and I have worked with those too, but lulu7 seems to have a similar file system to ours}

My solution is not disilmilar to yours except I have provided a timeframe as well.  Is there a regular meeting your boss attends?  My boss has a meeting every Wednesday morning so we have agreed that is when I will do the filing (like you I prefer to get on with filing when my boss is not using his office).  I have provided him with one tray on top of the filing cabinet and whatever gets put in there will be filed - if he prefers to leave things on his desk, that is his choice and he has to live with the consequences.  When I started this job I resolved that I am only responsible for the tidiness of my desk/area; I did previously get into a bad habit of clearing a boss's desk, but it just made him totally incapable!  

Perhaps a 'filing window' could work for you too to reinforce the use of the trays - good luck

Cathy