Co-Workers and Cubicles: Tips for Being a Good Neighbor

Efficient use of office space sounds like such a good thing. Well, it sounds like a good thing unless it's the reasoning for turning your office into a box of cubicles. No matter how much you like your co-workers, cubicles bring about a whole new level of up-close-and-personal.

The good new is that cubicles don't have to be a bad thing. With a little consideration among the cubicles, you can enjoy your co-workers and have a very positive experience.

Good Cubicle Neighbor Tip 1: Don't trespass into others' cubicles.

Lack of a door does not constitute a "door's always open" policy. In fact, consider it more of a "door's always closed" situation.

Your co-workers have no way of closing the door on interruptions. There is nothing they can do to make it clear that they are unavailable. Knock first, as if your co-worker has a minute, and remember that cubicle entry is by invitation only

Good Cubicle Neighbor Tip 2: Do not imagine your cubicle neighbors to be deaf.

Yes, we can hear you. We can hear you all the time.

It should go without saying that confidential matters should be handled elsewhere than from your cubicle. Remember also, when you are discussing your child's latest bowel movement with your mother or the "attributes" of your date last night with your best friend, everyone around you can hear. This is not information that your co-workers need. It is also not behavior that is well suited to an office of cubicles.

Good Cubicle Neighbor Tip 3: Reserve matters of personal hygiene for home and restrooms.

An actual office is hardly private; a cubicle should be considered public space. Your cubicle is not the place for hair styling, nail polish and make-up touch-ups, nail clipping, or other grooming matters.

Remember the decades-old belief that women should keep beauty rituals hidden from men so as not to ruin their 'mystique'? Consider this your cubicle rule as well. That polished look you worked so hard to get loses itself when your co-workers can't you the image of you primping in the cubicle out of their minds.

Good Cubicle Neighbor Tip 4: Observe the office democracy.

Since cubicles are a public space, avoid the temptation to become the cubicle dictator - or renegade. Certain things - such as temperature, volume of background music, anything that affects all the cubicles - need to be decided upon by your whole office community.

Being a nice neighbor doesn't have to be difficult. Avoid any urges to take over or 'go against the grain in ways that will have a negative impact on your co-workers.

Good Cubicle Neighbor Tip 5: Do not pollute your office workspace.

Offices are a place of business, and polluting your cubicle can have a negative effect on that business. Strong smell (even pleasant ones that are very strong) can make your co-workers ill; excessive noise can be very distracting.

You can, of course, still enjoy your cubicle. If you feel more comfortable with some sort of air freshener, pick a light scent and ask your neighboring cubicles if it is strong enough to bother them. Keep music or other distractive noises at a volume that can not be heard outside your cubicle.

Good Cubicle Neighbor Tip 6: Take responsibility for yourself.

You're very busy; so are your co-workers. With cubicles there are often more common areas and common appliances than with individual offices. Your co-workers don't have the time to clean up after you.

Of course, there is more to taking responsibility for yourself than just picking up your messes. It is also important to restock anything that you use up. If you notice a problem with a common appliance, or a mess that has been neglected, a "he who sees it, fixes it" attitude is best.

Good Cubicle Neighbor Tip 7: Do not be a distraction.

You finally finished that big project - that's great. You may be in a celebratory mood, but your co-workers may still be working.

You need a little break? That's why there's a break room.

It's unfortunate not to have more freedom, but cubicles do require a bit of consideration. Your office exists as a place to do work. It is extremely rude and unprofessional to interrupt your co-workers.

Good Cubicle Neighbor Tip 8: Do not treat your co-workers as a captive audience.

Your co-workers may be chained to their desks, and having them so near your cubicle may be tempting. Remember, though, that they are trying to work, and that your idea of "interesting" may not be the same as theirs. Working in the next cubicle is not an invitation to chat all day.

Before you interrupt your co-worker thirty times a day, ask yourself a couple of questions. Does what you have to say pertain to the office, and is it necessary that you share it? Keep personal chatter quiet, non-disruptive, and mutually interesting.

Good Cubicle Neighbor Tip 9: Do not lead your co-workers astray.

Diets are hard enough to keep without added temptations. The office is not a place to "push" sweets. There is quite a difference between being the go-to cubicle when in need of a pick-me-up chocolate (good) and being the one who always ruins the diets (bad). Your co-workers will be more likely to appreciate your generous, giving nature if you aren't spoiling their good intentions.

Good Cubicle Neighbor Tip 10: Do not raise your voice.

Cubicles may make your office feel more informal, but it is still a place of business. The fact that Suzy can hear you from two cubicles away doesn't mean that yelling to her is in good form. Send an email, pick up the phone, or walk the few feet down to your co-worker's cubicle.

Yelling back and forth between cubicles is unprofessional, and will appear so to customers or visitors who witness it - as well as to supervisors. It also disrupts everyone else around.

Cubicles may present some challenges, but they can also be a great bonding situation for co-workers. Cubicles can also help promote efficiency. So, when you find your self in an office of cubicles, tread lightly, be considerate, and enjoy your neighbors.