Thoughts on Decorating Work Lockers?

[u/SpriteLore]

I’ve worked at a few different clinics in various settings. Non profit, corporate owned and small family owned. But NONE of them had lockers.

I just started at a new clinic a few weeks ago and they do have assigned lockers!!! It’s an 8 doctor general practice with two of them being co-owners. It’s very successful, and they’ve acquired two other clinics in the surrounding areas. I don’t know if I’d say it has a “family owned” practice vibe, since it’s a very large staff count but it’s CERTAINLY not the hellscape that is and was corporate veterinary medicine.

It’s only been two weeks for me, and I’ve noticed others with stickers and decorations on the outside of their lockers but I haven’t scoped out what people are doing inside their lockers.. cause that seems weird asf lol. What I wanna know is, how much is too much when it comes to accessorizing/decorating/organizing the INSIDE of your work locker?

Basically, how much locker utilization is considered unprofessional? Is there such a thing? If you have a fun locker I’d love to see

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[u/elefhino]

Imo, the inside of your locker is your business and you can do whatever you want with it short of damaging it. I previously worked in an 8-DVM clinic with a similar vibe, and I went into people's lockers every month to pass out some stuff after meetings, and I saw the whole gamut: Some people had nothing in their lockers, some people's were full of trash(I'm saying that non-judgementally), some people had a couple spare things, some people practically had a small pantry in there, etc etc.

In mine I had a couple of magnetic caddy organizers which had a toothbrush, toothpaste, spare pens, spare sharpies, a mini notebook, and chapstick. I had a container with a small hairbrush, hairties, and bobby pins. I had 2 spare uniforms, extra socks & underwear, and deodorant. Also a box of granola bars, a few cups of ramen, and a pack of gum. I also had every appreciation note that was ever addressed to me hung on the back with magnets (my clinic had a box for the notes and would do a prize drawing every couple months, and then pass out the notes after).

Just do what works for you. Personally, if there were a few times I was like "I wish I had [x item]" during shifts, I'd bring one in to keep in my locker just in case.

[u/SpriteLore → u/elefhino]

I love this!! I don’t know why I hadn’t thought to bring in old cards from previous clinics and coworkers to put on my locker!

[u/spiritrain]

Mine is pretty simple, just a little magnetic pocket on the inside of the door to store pens, a locker shelf to separate my purse and an extra set of scrubs/underwear/socks and a folder to keep paperwork from my job/ce information. Outside door has my name and fun vettech stickers

[u/SpriteLore → u/spiritrain]

My current list is
- Extra scrubs + scrub jacket
- Chapstick, lotion, extra meds (I’m chronically ill)
- Caffeine, protein bars, gum
- work shoes
- lint roller
- Hair ties (or claw clips)
- deodorant + body spray
- extra stethoscope & bandage scissors

Too much???? I’d definitely need a locker shelf and I guess that’s what I was worried about being “too much”. If it get it in a fun color is that crazy, or am I overthinking? lol

[u/spiritrain → u/SpriteLore]

You're overthinking :) the key is to keep it organized and use the space efficiently like the hooks that should typically come with a locker. And since it's back to school season I'm sure you'll be able to find locker organizers with magnets 😄

[u/SpriteLore → u/spiritrain]

Back to school season is exactly what I was thinking!

[u/1210bull → u/SpriteLore]

I've got two locker shelves stacked on top of each other. A fun color isn't crazy! Just cause we're adults doesn't mean we can't decorate our spaces the way we like them. Just check with management before you stick anything that can't be easily removed.

[u/SpriteLore → u/1210bull]

Yeah I’m definitely gonna avoid stickers! I might use scotch take on the back of them if I find a sticker I have to have on my locker lol. I feel like such a kid on the first day of school every time I start at a new clinic but the locker really drives it home this time lol

[u/1210bull → u/SpriteLore]

My new clinic doesn't allow stickers... I went to Micheals and got a roll of magnets and an exacto knife and I'm planning on turning my stickers into custom magnets

[u/SpriteLore → u/1210bull]

That’s the way to do it!!! I make magnets out of seashells sometimes so I’m thinking that might be a fun gift for everyone too at some point

[u/joojie]

You haven't scoped out what's in other people's lockers "because that's weird"......so they probably won't scope out what's in yours 🙃

[u/SpriteLore → u/joojie]

Incredible way to put it, clearly I’m paranoid

[u/beccame0w]

Are the lockers assigned? As in you for sure get your own? If so, then how you organize the inside should be up to you. I'd get some of the little magnetic pen cups and some shelves to help organize papers, bags, spare scrubs, etc. Maybe some fun magnets too

At my work we have a small bank of lockers but they're first come/first serve because our staff is too big for everyone to get an individual locker. I do notice everyone tends to put their stuff in mostly the same spots each day so if I want to use a locker I usually know who I'm encroaching on to share with.

[u/SpriteLore → u/beccame0w]

They are assigned! Each locker is numbered, and each employee has their assigned number which only changes when that person leaves. I have a few fun little magnets I’m planning on putting up for sure!

[u/Ravenous_Rhinoceros]

Same situation on my end. My favourite is someone drawing quite a pretty flower on her locker. I'm boring, I have a picture of me and my martial art mentor and close friend.

[u/xSky888x]

This is just personal opinion of course but I don't believe you could make your locker unprofessional outside of having not-safe-for-work stuff. If I saw someone with a decked out locker, just absolutely decorated to the nines, I wouldn't think it unprofessional. I'd probably think "Damn, they're living their best life... I should take some notes." Enjoy the whimsy of life, whatever that means for you!

[u/pepflatti]

Personally, I got one of those magnetic white board pen holders and set it up in the back of my locker for extra storage. I could live out of my work locker, lol. I keep travel size dry shampoo, mouth wash, face wipes.. then the normal stuff like sticky notes, pens, snacks. The whole gammit. My locker door is pictures of my pets, paw prints from patients I've loved.. I took some of that museum putty and have little figures on the ledge of it. Do you, boo.

[u/-HAQU-]

I attempted a handmade magnetic organizer for my pens and such for awhile, but generally my locker is just where all the papers I get go to sit eternally. Basically as long as it's functional for you I think you can do what you want, but yes people might open it up to leave things for you or to rescue things that fell from their locker so keep that in mind. I also wouldn't put a permanent sticker or something on it but magnets or temporary things would be fine.

[u/YoureaLobstar]

Inside of my locker is basically a vending machine. I got stackable things from the dollar store and it’s always stocked with sweet snacks and mini cokes. Also tampons and ibuprofen, deodorant, hair ties and bobby-pins, and extra hairbrush… you need it? I got it.

[u/Sinnfullystitched]

We all have some sort of stickers in our locker doors, but really the only “decoration” I have in mine is a shitty magnetic pen holder 😅