Workers around Britain are pocketing office supplies totalling millions of pounds each year – and guilt is the last thing on their minds.
The results of the YouGov study reveal that bosses better beware – if it’s not screwed down your staff are likely nab it.

The survey, commissioned by The Federation Against Software Theft, uncovered that computer software and other digital downloads such as film, music and video are prime targets for 10% of those questioned.

In the survey, 62% of people admitted to stealing pens and 42% take post-it notes from the office. Notebooks, printer paper and blank cds prove too much of a temptation for 25% of workers.

Some 5% even fill their bags with office toilet roll.

John Lovelock, director general of the federation, said: “Just as we expected, people fail to recognise that theft is theft – whether it’s the act of physically taking something that doesn’t belong to you or downloading software that you haven’t paid for. Digital theft is costing the UK millions of pounds each year. You wouldn’t expect to walk out of PC World with a piece of software up your jumper and get away with it, would you?”