cubicles

How to Work in a Cubicle

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Cubicle

I currently have an office. But at my last job, I worked in a hallway for one year (no kidding), and then in a cubicle for the next six years. So I definitely know what cubicle life is like. It can certainly be fun and interesting – with so many people around and so few walls, there’s always something going on! But it can also be hard to focus and get work done. So if you’re currently sitting in a cubicle, and you’re feeling a little distracted and frustrated, here are a few tips:

  • Add a few barriers.
    If you’re in a cubicle with low walls, you might be feeling a little exposed. That’s what my cubicle was like. The walls were so low that every time I looked up from my computer monitor, I found myself staring into the face of Todd, one of my coworkers. I liked Todd. He was (and still is) a great guy. But it was seriously distracting and disconcerting. So we stuck a big cork board between us, and it made all the difference! Barriers like cork boards, plants, and pictures can all be used to define your space and give you a little more privacy.
  • When something is really bugging you, talk about it.
    I don’t like confrontations. But when you’re working in close quarters with a bunch of people who may have different working styles, preferences, and personalities, conflicts can happen. Maybe your coworkers are constantly having long, loud conversations with other coworkers – or maybe they’re fond of smelly air fresheners. These things can really grate on you after a while. I think the worst thing to do is say nothing, and quietly seethe with anger. It’s much better to politely address the issue. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but my cubicle coworkers once had to address an issue with me. Apparently, I had a really loud phone voice. Whenever I got on the phone, I would start talking really loudly – as if the person on the other end of the line were halfway around the world and we had a terrible connection. I didn’t even realize I was doing it until my coworkers talked to me about it. I was happy that they brought it to my attention, and happy to change my ways!
  • Tell people when you need some time alone.
    It’s great to interact with coworkers. It’s fun to hear about the crazy things that someone did over the weekend, and it’s rewarding to help a coworker solve a problem. But sometimes, you just need a little time alone to focus on your work. And that can be difficult when you’re working in a cubicle with low walls and no door. So try this – the next time your coworkers pop into your cubicle when you’re trying to concentrate on your work, tell them that you’ll come by their office to talk as soon as you’ve finished the task that you’re working on. Don’t feel badly about telling people when you need a little time alone.

Cubicle Etiquette

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Working_in_Cubicle

Now that many of us are returning to the office, people are going to be sitting in cubicles again. If you’re one of those people, you know that there can be a lot of distractions. Without office walls to separate you from your coworkers, you probably have to deal with a lot of background noise and frequent interruptions. It may sometimes be hard for you to focus and get your work done. And there may be times when you irritate your fellow cubicle-dwellers without even meaning to.

When a bunch of people are working in close quarters, it’s important for everyone to follow certain etiquette rules. Author Joyce Russell recommends the following:

  • Don’t pop your head over a cubicle wall in order to ask your neighbor something – even if the wall is low. It’s intrusive and generally not appreciated.
  • Don’t call out to someone who is across the room.
  • If you have something that you need to say to your coworker, walk to the entrance of his or her cubicle and knock on the wall (as if it were a door). Then ask your coworker if he or she has a minute to talk. If your coworker is busy, come back later.
  • When your coworker is on the phone or appears to be deep in thought, don’t attempt to silently communicate with him or her using exaggerated facial expressions or hand gestures. Just come back later.
  • Don’t borrow items from your coworkers’ desks without asking. They’ll notice that their stapler is missing, trust me.
  • Don’t use your speakerphone.
  • Lower the volume of your cell phone ring tone or set it to “silent.”
  • Don’t play loud music.
  • And try not to produce strong smells (through the use of perfumes, air fresheners, or stinky foods). If you want to eat tuna fish, it might be best to do it in the lunchroom rather than at your desk.

…

Russell, J. E. A. (2011, August 14). Career coach: 15 rules of etiquette for the cubicle. The Washington Post. Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/career-coach-15-rules-of-etiquette-for-the-cubicle/2011/08/10/gIQARJKXFJ_story.html

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