Survey: Employees Like Working from Home, Stealing Office Supplies

The latest employment news from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a surprising trend that could be good news or bad news for small-business owners, depending on whether you're trying to hire employees -- or hang on to the ones you have, reported AOL Small Business.

If you're trying to retain top talent (and boost their productivity), try sending them home to work. But before you do, you might want to check pockets for pilfered office supplies. Here's a closer look at some of the latest small-business surveys:

More Americans Quitting Their Jobs

Still not convinced that your employees are eager to move on? Consider this surprising news: More people quit their jobs in February, March and April than were laid off, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The last time resignations outnumbered layoffs was late 2008. Almost 2 million people quit their jobs in April (the highest number in over a year); 1.75 million were laid off (the lowest figure since January 2007). Although hiring has been flat at about 3.3 percent since the start of the recession, the increased resignations show employees are feeling confident about finding better jobs. If "overworked, underpaid and stressed out" describes your staff right now, you'd better make some changes before it's too late.

Employees Work Longer at Home

One change you could make? Offer flextime to your staff and/or the choice to work from home. Not only will they be happier with their jobs, they'll also be willing to work longer hours, according to a new study from Brigham Young University. The study tracked 25,000 IBM employees to find their "tipping point" -- the moment they felt that work was interfering too much with their home life. For employees who worked a regular office schedule, the tipping point was 38 hours a week. But employees who had a flexible schedule and were able to telecommute could work 57 hours per week before they felt the conflict. The takeaway? Creating a remote working policy not only saves you (and your staff) money, but it also makes your workers happier and more productive. Sounds like a no-brainer.

Hey, Who Took My Pen?

Nearly six in 10 (56 percent) of Americans admit they've taken office products from work to use at home, according to an OfficeMax Workplace Uncovered survey. To no one's surprise, pens, pencils and highlighters are the most-pilfered products (82 percent).

Why do workers swipe the goods? Of those who were willing to cop to the theft, 30 percent say they were "borrowing" and planned to return the item (sure they were) and 25 percent didn't think their employer would miss the items. Twenty-seven percent admitted that taking office supplies is easier than buying their own (no kidding), and 24 percent say they "didn't have time" to buy their own.

But not all employees are office bandits: In fact, 34 percent of respondents report buying their own office supplies to bring to work because they don't like the brands their employers provide. What tool matters most to these picky people? Most -- 70 percent -- say they can't work without their favorite brand or type of pens. I'll admit, I can't work without one of my dozens of colored ultra-fine-point Sharpies, so I can relate.