Like this article? PLEASE +1 it!

Cubical Etiquette

Written by: Dia Sutton

Article Overview: Lady Dianne on Workplace Etiquette Working in a CUBE

Free Download - Political Savvy for the Average Employee By Dia Sutton

Cubical Etiquette

I am horrified by the stories my clients have confessed to me regarding their employees working in cubicles. For example, one does not cut their toes nails, nor paint their fingernails, nor discuss their personal business on the telephone in their cubicle.

Cubicles are now very common in office settings. Many of us work in office cubicles or other open environments. An employee can spend 40 hours per week in a cubicle. However, studies show that most workers are not thrilled with the idea of working in a cube because of the lack of privacy and the increased noise.

Life in a cube can present challenges. One of the challenges is how coworkers with different personalities, working styles, and preferences and from different cultures can work successfully in a cubicle environment. Some people are more extraverted and need to talk. Others are introverted and prefer to work all day without interruption. Respect others' preferences and explain your own

Cubicles offer more a psychological than a physical barrier between employee workspaces. It is hard to keep noise, smells, and other disturbances from spilling over the partitions. But if people realize that they must minimize their “spill-over,” life in cubicles can be easier and the cubicle workplace can be very productive.

In cubicle environments, "common" courtesy is very important. A little bit of politeness goes a long way toward smoothing problems. Everybody should model good behavior and expect it from co-workers. Supervisors can play an important role in setting the tone, creating policies for healthy office culture, and, when necessary, negotiating conflicts between employees.

In an effort to resolve such nonsense, I have put together some guidelines for working in cubicles. Here are some ways that you can exercise proper cubicle etiquette and make your work environment more conducive to getting work done.

PRIVACY
•Conceptualize invisible walls and doors. Do not talk or holler over the top of your cubicle.
•Never enter someone’s cubicle without permission. Do not barge in and begin talking. Behave as though cubicles have doors. Do not enter before you have eye contact “permission” from the occupant.
•Post a sign or flag at your cube entrance to signal when you can be interrupted. Avoid making eye contact with people if you don’t want to be interrupted.
•Don’t “prairie-dog” over the tops of cubes or peek in as you walk past each one. Keep your eyes straight ahead.
•Don’t loiter outside someone’s cube while you wait for him or her to finish a phone call. Come back at another time.
•Never read someone’s computer screen or comment on conversations you’ve overheard. Resist answering a question you overheard asked in the cube next to you!
•Keep your hands off a cube dweller’s desk. Just because there’s no door doesn’t mean you can help yourself to their pens.
•Kick others out gracefully. Let others know you have work to finish.
•Respect quiet – think before interrupting someone who appears to be deep in thought
•Don’t discuss confidential and personal information in your cubicle. General Rule: Would you want this information on the internet or the PM news? If not, don’t discuss it in your cubicle; find a more private space instead.
•Do your grooming in the rest room, i.e. do not trim your eyebrows, beard, nails or floss your teeth in your cube

PHONES
•Try to pick up your phone on the first ring. Set the ringer volume at the lowest level you can hear.
•Never use a speakerphone in your cubicle. If there is someone else who needs to listen in, use a meeting room for these conference calls.
•Watch your volume when talking on the phone.
•Never leave your cell phone behind in your cube without first turning it off or to vibrate.
•With personal or sensitive calls, be aware that your neighbors can hear your end of the conversation.
•Don’t interrupt people who are taking calls or stand over them.

TALKING
•Use your “library voice”. Talk softly – Don’t shout.
•Don’t talk through cube walls or congregate outside someone’s cube. For impromptu meetings, go to a conference room or break room.
•Don’t bring clients to your cube to meet with them. Go to an office or conference room.
•Don’t yell across the “cube farm”. Get up and move to the other person’s location.

GENERAL NOISE
•Use email or instant messaging to communicate silently with your coworkers.
•Use a headset when using a MP3 player, IPOD, radio, etc. Do not sing or hum along.
•Set your PC volume to a low level and turn off screensaver sound effects.
•Set cell phones and pagers to vibrate.
•Just because you have some visual privacy, don’t assume your annoying habits are a secret, i.e. chewing ice, clipping nails, eating crunchy stuff.

SMELLS
•Try not to ever eat hot food or strong-smelling foods at your desk. Food odors can bother your hungry or nauseous neighbors. Remember that other people will have to live with those odors all afternoon.
•Your neighbors may have allergies. Perfume and cologne should be avoided in a cubicle arrangement.
•Keep a neutralizing air freshener handy.
•Keep your shoes on!

DECORATIONS
•Take pride in your work area – it is a reflection of you.
•Maintain a clean and tidy workspace.
•Keep decorations simple and not offensive to others.
•Do not intrude on your co-worker’s space with your cubicle plants.

In conclusion, remember that your cubicle is the property of your organization, not your personal kingdom. You are at work to work.

Related Articles

“Powerful Business Etiquette Tips From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach”

Cubicle Etiquette

Three Business Etiquette Tips You Absolutely Must Know In Network Marketing

Email Etiquette - Part 1

Email Etiquette - Is the Money Really in the List?

Home > Human-Resources > Dia Sutton > Cubical Etiquette

Article Tags: cubicles

About the Author: Dia Sutton
RSS for Dia's articles - Visit Dia's website

Dianne Floyd Sutton is President of Sutton Enterprises, author, trainer, educator, expert witness, coach and actor. She has over twenty years of combined experience in Human Resource Development (HRD) processes, Diversity, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and Communication training. Sutton Enterprises (SE) is a full service human resource development organization which offers a variety of Human Resource Development (HRD)services, i.e. training, keynotes, facilitations, EEO interventions, organizational development, etc. For more information about SE go to www.suttonenterprises.org

Dianne Sutton has the skills to create a safe learning environment where diverse participants are able to ask questions, experiment with new behaviors and development new skills. She also has the ability to present models and techniques in a straight forward, clear and humorous manner. She started her career as a mathematics instructor in the St. Louis, Missouri Public School System while attending graduate school at Washington University. Before founding Sutton Enterprises in 1987, she held a variety of positions at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in training and employee development.

Her most recent publication is Workplace Etiquette: A Guide to Thriving and Surviving in Today’s Workplace. In 2010 Dianne was awarded the Spencer Logan Leadership Award from the Training Officers Consortium (TOC) in Washington, DC. This is the organization's highest honor. For more information go to www.trainingofficers.org

Dianne is on a civility crusade as Ms. Etiquette. Ms. Etiquette offers a down-to-earth, in-depth presentation peppered with real life examples and appropriate humor. She demystifies the rules and gives insights into behaviors that increase respect, collaboration and trust in the workplace. Check out Ask Ms. Etiquette for answers to questions about appropriate etiquette in the workplace at www.suttonenterprises.org

Click here to visit Dia's website

More from Dia Sutton

Attracting A Mentor

Professional Presence Brand Me

Politcal Savvy Tips for Work

Disability Etiquette 1 Mobility Impairment


Name:
Email: