If you’ve worked in a UK office, you’ve probably had a brush with “photocopier politics.” Maybe you’ve waited in line behind someone printing an entire binder’s worth of reports, or found yourself elbow-deep in toner trying to fix a jam you didn’t cause.
But what is photocopier politics, really? And why does it spark such strong feelings in workplaces across the UK?
It turns out the humble photocopier is more than just a machine – it’s a magnifying glass for how teams work (or don’t).
The Good Side: What the Photocopier Tells Us About Office Life
1. It Reveals the True Office Culture
Watch how people behave around the copier and you’ll get a quick read on the workplace vibe. Do colleagues refill paper when it runs out, or walk away pretending they didn’t see it? Do people help each other unjam it, or just mutter and leave it for someone else?
It’s a daily test of whether your team embraces shared responsibility – or quietly plays the “not my problem” game.
2. It Encourages Basic Etiquette (Ideally)
Things like:
- Not leaving your prints to gather dust for hours.
- Not hogging the machine with giant print jobs at 9am on a Monday.
- Not walking off mid-print and leaving a queue of confused colleagues.
It’s the unspoken rules that keep things running – or unravel them entirely.
3. It’s a Low-Key Social Spot
Like the kettle or the lift, the photocopier can be a place for quick chats and mini catch-ups. A chance to check in, swap a joke, or share news – without booking a meeting.
The Not-So-Good: Frustrations, Frictions, and Fallout
1. It Wastes Time (And Patience)
There’s nothing like a queue of people staring down a flickering touchscreen to kill productivity. Add in the hunt for paper, the missing toner, and the inevitable “who printed this 20 minutes ago?” mystery pile, and you’ve lost another half hour. This will surprise you: Not everyone is lucky enough to have a photocopier supplied by Evolve Document Solutions. (And you don’t need to be lucky – just call!)
2. It Breeds Quiet Resentment
Those who always refill the machine, clear jams, or order supplies start to feel like unpaid repair staff. Those who never lift a finger? You can bet they’re being quietly judged – or worse, the subject of a passive-aggressive Post-it.
3. It Often Falls on the Same People
Admin staff, office managers, or that one person who “just knows how it works” often carry the burden. Even when it’s not technically their job, they end up fixing it – again and again.
4. It’s a GDPR Minefield
Unattended printouts, forgotten confidential documents, or unsecured printing can land you in hot water. Data protection isn’t just for IT – it starts at the copier tray.
5. It Can Spark Turf Wars
Think of unofficial booking systems, queue jumping, and unwritten rules about who gets priority. Some teams treat the copier like contested territory – and that tension can bubble over.
How to Make Photocopier Politics Less Painful
- Set expectations: A simple set of rules (“refill if you use the last sheet”, “secure print for sensitive stuff”) goes a long way.
- Share the load: Maintenance shouldn’t fall to one person. Rotate responsibilities or make it part of team etiquette.
- Think digital: Not everything needs to be printed. Encourage digital workflows where possible – good for the planet and the queue.
- Train people properly: Show everyone how to use the thing. Avoid the classic “press everything and hope” method.
- Respect the queue: It’s not Tesco. Don’t skip ahead with your one-page print job if someone’s halfway through 300 pages.
Takeaway
Photocopier politics might seem like a minor grumble, but it says a lot about how we share, support, and work together. Handled well, the office copier becomes just another tool. Handled badly, it becomes a daily flashpoint.
So the next time you’re at the copier and it beeps angrily, ask yourself: am I being part of the problem… or part of the solution?
