I recently changed jobs, and now for the first time ever, I am working in a cubicle environment.
I am concerned about how to be courteous to my coworkers in this environment. It’s difficult to talk with them about work without disturbing others, yet I can’t reserve a conference room for every five-minute spontaneous conversation – there aren’t enough conference rooms. And I’m wondering what to do about food. A new cafeteria is under construction, and until it’s finished, we have no choice but to eat at our desks. What kinds of food are acceptable and unacceptable? Is crunching a problem or just food with strong aromas?
I recently said “goodbye!” to a cubicle setting after several years. THRILLED to now have an office to be able to close the door if needed.
That said, some comments for you AND others to think about…
if you get a personal phone call consider asking the caller to call you back on your cell phone - then go to another area/hallway and take the call. Otherwise EVERYONE hears your personal business.
be mindful if one of your co-workers is on a work call - this is NOT the time to stand near his/her cubicle with other co-workers and laugh your head off about a funny story.
we all ate at our desk often...food smells didn't seem to be a problem....BUT I had someone in the cubicle behind me that would eat chunky baby carrots EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. I cannot stand food noises and often had to get up and take a walk for a few minutes or I would lose my mind at the chewing. Same with snack chips. This is my own problem so I just had to figure out how to deal with it.
you learn over time to tune out general conversation around you or short calls that other co-workers get.
headphones are your friend. I kept a pair on my desk and put them in my ears when needed to block out noise or to concentrate.
@skieurope My advice covers both. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed such behavior in an office setting. Flossing as well. Bodily grooming should not be attended to in a cubicle.
I’ll also add be aware of using your “inside” voice. I had a cubicle mate who was just generally LOUD. She talked loud, laughed loud, everything LOUD. Sometimes it was ok, sometimes annoying!
never buy drugs from your dealer on your office phone.
when two co-workers are feuding make sure each one thinks you are on their side.
microwave leftover seafood for lunch at your own risk.
-make up phone conversations that the office snoop can hear.
-stay late at least once a week to get the latest dirt from your co-workers.
-hang up photos of glamorous people and places on your walls so people will envy you.
-get up and go for a walk when you think you need to take a nap.
My daughter would never be able to work in a cubicle. Anyone eating even slightly crunchy things would trigger her misophonia. Perhaps noise-canceling headphones would work if that allowed her to do her job.
It’s been a few years since I was in a cubicle environment but I think so much depends on the actual business. Are you talking on the phone a lot? To clients or just internal people? Are you tried to a desk/phone, or do you need to roam around the office for meetings, copying, supplies, etc etc.
I don’t like the idea of eating at my desk even though I have done it many times. It seems messy and not healthy but when you’re busy, you’re busy!
I make business and private calls in a small room close to my desk. I go in there for conversations if I deem it wise for other people to not overhear them. I talk to people at their desks in moderation, and my coworkers do the same with me.
I felt embarrassed the other day because a coworker and I were using the small room for a conversation and our organization’s receptionist knocked to let us know that we needed to get out because the room was reserved. I think the person she had in tow probably was going to use the room for pumping. (I work for a professional organization and there are lots of meeting for members in the building.) So just be aware of who else might need the conference rooms.
Never, ever use the speaker phone
Save carrots and celery for the car or home
Don’t use an odd ringtone (barking, quacking) for your desk or cellphone
If you have your cell on vibrate, don’t leave it on a hard surface and walk away for ages
Dispose of food waste in a trash can out of the cubicle
I haven’t eaten in a cafeteria since HS. All eating is done at desks. Our “break area” has fridges, sink, micro, keurig, etc., but no seating. I need to bring in a cordless vac tomorrow and take care of crumbs. There used to be a carpet sweeper, but it disappeared.
In my office everyone eats lunch at their desks as our kitchen area has maybe 4 seats in total. I think the issue is to respectful to those around you by not eating something that might be really strong smelling and that you carefully clean up your area. My office has more of a problem with people who wear strong smelling perfume that might not be your fragrance of choice to be seated next to.
Personal phone calls are really an issue as our really loud noisy ringtones. Generally speaking most people take their cellphones to either an empty office as not assigned to anyone or the corridor… not a great place when you have to speak to a doctor or deal with an insurance company or so on and so on.
I thought I was doing the right thing when I designed our office space by making a section with walls that went up about 5 ft. At the time I thought about having access to others for training issues, asking quick questions on the medical billing, etc. I was wrong and I’ve regretted it now for a few years. It can get loud. You can get stuck too close to people. I think some of them like being able to chit chat, and I have no issue with that, but it isn’t for everyone. The rest of the building has offices, but I’d say the number one issue is people getting way to relaxed and rambunctious in the close quarters. However, some people don’t want to be closed away from others, and some of them frankly aren’t mature enough to work alone without oversight. It’s a tough thing to know exactly the right space.
If the weather is nice, my suggestion is to get outside for lunch, even if brown bagging it. Good for one’s mental and physical health. Breaks up the day even if it is for only 20-30 minutes.
I’m finding the noise overwhelming – to the point where I’m considering asking for one work-from-home day every week (many other people have one), even though I hate working from home. But at least at home it’s quiet, and you can have tuna for lunch.
If you should over hear someone’s private conversation, you should never reference it. For most of my jobs I have sat in very close quarters with my colleagues. I have heard numerous spouse fights, very personal medical and financial discussions. The etiquette was always to pretend you didn’t hear it.
It is best not to comment on people’s food.
I have been known to throw balls or stuff at people when they were being too loud.
When you sit in very close quarters with other people at work, you need to have a bit of sense of humor and respect for people’s privacy.
OMG- please do not clip your nails ( have seen it done in meetings), floss your teeth or crack gum in your cubicle. Keep conversations low and do not sing. My office neighbor would sing often with another colleague!
Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed such behavior in an office setting. Flossing as well. Bodily grooming should not be attended to in a cubicle.