The Do’s and Don’ts of Cubicle Working

Here at Panel Warehouse, we manufacture office screens and room dividers to small and large offices all over the UK and we know just what make a happy office tick.

Our job is helping you and your colleagues to create the best possible environments in which to do yours. But there’s more to a positive and productive office than the furniture.

That’s why we’ve created the Do’s and Don’ts of Cubicle Working. As you’ll see from reading the short list below, there are a lot more of one than the other. So let’s start with a biggie:

• Rule 1 – DON’T discuss private matters at your desk. Out of sight is not necessarily out of ear shot and unless you’d like sensitive conversations to be the talk of the office, it’s a good idea to book a meeting room or head out of office to discuss via mobile.
• Rule 2 – DON’T use speakerphone. Hold music is bad. This isn’t news. It’s a fact of life; and your colleagues shouldn’t have to put up with it if the call is none of their business. This also applies to phone calls from clients, customers or mum. Pick up the handset or get a hands free kit.
• Rule 3 – DON’T talk cross cubicle. You might be able to hear the conversation just fine, but that likely means that several of your colleagues can too; and it’s a distraction that they won’t enjoy. Furthering that, it’s just plain rude. If you have something to say, it’s best to head to your colleague’s cubicle to say it; which brings us to rule number four.
• Rule 4 – DON’T barge into somebody else’s workspace. Before you de-rail someone’s train of thought, simply tap on their desk or cubicle wall. Better yet, ask the person involved if they have time to talk. This should ensure that your visits are welcome and not something they dread.
• Rule 5 – DO let people know when you need to concentrate and don’t want to be disturbed. This is ideal for warding off breakers of rule four. Several studies recommend enforcing a time of day in which you aren’t to be disturbed; and a polite notice could be hung on a cubicle wall or pinned on a board which lets people know when you can be reached.
• Rule 6 – DO pop in your headphones. A ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign will only do so much, especially with the hubbub of most office environments, which doesn’t stop for anybody. A little music is likely to block out extraneous noise while you’re trying to work. But be careful with the volume button, as loud music will do more harm than good.
• Rule 7 – DO keep your computer on mute. You never know when an unwanted pop up or embedded YouTube video will shatter the serenity of the room and the best way to avoid any embarrassing outburst is to keep desktop audio to a minimum. An absolute minimum.
• Rule 8 – DON’T play a radio. Every one of us is different and this means that music to your ears is likely to be the bane of somebody else’s workday. They best way to keep everybody happy is to save the radio for your commute.
• Rule 9 – DON’T eat smelly foods in the office. While we’re making sure we don’t offend people’s ears, it’s just as important to make sure we stay out of their nose. Some of use like garlic, or seafood or hard boiled eggs, but even those of us that do won’t be happy to smell it all day while at work. Can’t do without? Better head to the break room; or better yet out into the open air.
• Rule 10 – DON’T make a mess. We’re ending on a big one. Taking pride in your workspace will likely have a positive influence on your work. It will also ensure that you get more visitors than flies and ants. Bin your food wrappers and banana skins and keep your notes and newspapers where they belong. The more organised your workspace is, the more organised you’re likely to be in turn. Nobody should underestimate that.