Our reception area at work is very open. No privacy. The receptionist not only answers the phone, but she is also given special projects to work on during the day. Some of those projects contain information that is best not seen by visitors. That’s one reason why the Rubbermaid Privacy Desk Pad is so useful.


Description

This desk pad is constructed from black vinyl and is flat, designed to lay atop a desk or table surface. This desk pad is heavy, and the vinyl is non-skid. It measures 28" wide x 19" high.

What makes this desk pad unique, is that it is constructed from two layers of opaque black vinyl that appear as a solid ordinary desk pad. Instead, the top layer of vinyl can be peeled upward ... and papers can be stored between the two vinyl layers.

The vinyl is not a true rectangle. The bottom edge has an inward curve that lends grace and style to the desk pad. All the corners are curved so that they do not catch on objects or clothing.

There are also two vertical black side bars that measure 2 1/2" wide. A slim calendar or blotter can be inserted atop the desk pad if desired.


Our Experiences

The company purchased this Rubbermaid desk pad about five years ago. Considering the constant use, it has held up rather well. The black vinyl looks almost new, no fading or scars. The one flaw that stands out is that the 2 1/2" wide vinyl along the two vertical side edges is peeling. The left piece is just beginning to peel, while the right piece has curled upward (away from the flat surface of the pad), peeling for several inches.

The privacy purpose of the desk pad works well. It is easy to grasp the bottom of the mat edge to separate the two vinyl layers. Since the mat is wide, it is possible to place a slim file folder and other papers between the layers to hide them from view. The vinyl is thick, flowing over the secreted paperwork. Note that the desk pad is designed to hide away a few papers, not thick piles of work.

At various times the receptionist has found this hiding place useful. When visitors come into the office, she can squirrel away the project she is working on so that her desk not only looks neat, but also to keep any sensitive papers away from those not meant to view them.

I and other coworkers have also found this hide-away useful. Sometimes a money envelope passes around the office to collect for either an employee gift or charity. At times, when the controller is not available to lock away the cash, we secret it between the layers of the desk pad. The same goes for a greeting card awaiting signatures from those in the office ... we wouldn’t want the birthday person to see their card, so we hide it in the privacy desk pad.

I’ve also seen our receptionist stash away restaurant coupons between those vinyl layers. That way when she is inevitably asked to phone for takeout or delivery, she has a coupon at her fingertips.

In case you are wondering, this vinyl does not retain impressions when writing on paper placed atop the desk pad. Most of the time we write on tablets of paper or a Post-it note pad. However, sometimes we do write on a single sheet of paper placed on the vinyl surface.

Our receptionist has a few issues with liquid beverages. At least several times a year, she manages to upend her coffee or water across the receptionist desk. One time the flood took out the switchboard (but that’s another story!). It’s a good thing that this vinyl desk pad easily wipes clean with a damp cloth. Though the papers secreted between its layers may become wet depending upon the severity of the liquid accident.

Even though the manufacturer states that a slim calendar or a blotter can fit atop this desk pad, we have never used either of those things with this desk pad. The desk pad sits alone on top of a wood surface.

Another nice feature of this desk pad is that the vinyl is non-skid. This desk pad lays flat on the desk and does not shift unless lifted and moved.


Purchasing

Our office supply person bought this desk pad from Staples for between $35 - $40. It’s been long enough where I don’t remember the exact price.


Summary

When I asked our receptionist how she likes the Rubbermaid Privacy Desk Pad, she answered that she loves the secret hiding place. That it comes in handy. Even with the side edges beginning to peel, she is quite happy to keep the vinyl desk pad in her area. She is also appreciative that it is easy to clean and wipe dry after a coffee spill.

I hope you have found this review useful.

Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com


Please read my other reviews:

Ampad 100% Recycled Perforated Pads 8 1/2" x 11"

Oxford Twin Pocket Portfolios with 3-Tang Fasteners

Pendaflex Hanging File Folders with InfoPocket

Post-It Tape Flags

Tombow White Correction Tape

PaperMate Dryline Grip Correction Tape

Sharpie Twin-Tip Permanent Marker

Sanford Major Accent Highlighters

Avery Durable Ring Binder – 1" Capacity

Avery Big Tab 3-Ring Notebook Dividers

Avery Ring Reinforcement Labels

Sony MicroVault 512mb USB 2.0 Flash Drive



Copyright 2006 Dawn L. Stewart

Recommended: Yes