Tips for Sharing a Small Office

Many companies are cutting costs by requiring that employees share small offices, but what does that mean for the diligent workers who are fighting over the telephone and the printer? Some people work well when surrounded by constant distractions, while others need peace and quiet. Not only that, but many employees will suffer from bouts of claustrophobia after spending too much time in a cramped office. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do about it short of lobbying for a larger office, which means that you'll have to learn how to make do. Following are a few tips for sharing a small office.

Leave the door open.
One way to lessen the strain of sharing a small office is to leave the door open. This makes the room feel larger and won't cut you off from the rest of your building. Obviously, if there's too much noise in the hall, you might have to close the door every once in a while, but try to keep it open as much as possible. If you are fortunate enough to have a window, open the blinds (and even the window if possible) to let in fresh air and sunlight. You might also want to look at different methods of arranging your office furniture so that the room appears larger with more floor space.

Talk with one another.
There is one benefit of sharing a small office: You can chat with each other throughout the day. Obviously, you don't want to interrupt your office mate's work, but if you're both taking a break, get to know one another. Friends find it much easier to share office space than strangers, and you never know when you might need a favor. Plus, if either of you are in creative positions, you can help one another to brainstorm ideas.

Use your phone manners.
One of the most significant complaints of people who share small offices is that their office mate talks loudly on the phone. Try to limit your phone time as much as possible -- particularly when it comes to personal calls -- and try to muffle the noise by facing away from one another. If you share a phone, make sure you split the time equally and answer the phone in a professional manner. When the phone rings while your office mate is out of the room, take a detailed message and make sure he or she gets it upon returning.

Keep guests to a minimum.
Some people keep their professional and personal lives separate while others have visitors in the office all the time. When people come to visit you, suggest that you leave the office so that the other person can work in peace. If you need to meet with a colleague, suggest that you get together in his or her office instead. In most cases, it helps to communicate about noise interruptions. You should each know how the other feels about working while the other is having a conversation. That way you don't step on one another's toes.

Clean up your messes.
Even if you are a typically messy person, you should realize that your office mate might not be. When sharing a small office, take time every day to clean up any mess you've made -- even the clutter on your own desk. If you've been eating your lunch in the office, dispose of any smelly leftovers in another trash can and don't leave coffee mugs or soda cans all over the office. If your office mate is messy, you might want to help by picking up clutter that he or she leaves behind to make the room more livable.

Run errands for one another.
Make a habit of asking your office mate if he or she needs anything when you have to leave the room. Sharing a small office means that you can cut down the time needed to run errands -- such as going to the employee lounge or finding a printer -- by sharing the workload. As long as it is a reciprocal situation, you'll each benefit from doing things for the other.