Cubicle Etiquette: The Dos and Don'ts of Office Workspaces

Cubicles are a staple of the modern workplace, providing a blend of privacy and collaboration. However, working in close proximity to colleagues can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or conflict. To foster a positive and productive environment, it's essential to practice proper cubicle office etiquette.

This guide is a valuable resource for individual employees, as well as human resources professionals and office administrators striving to create a harmonious workspace. Whether you're crafting an employee handbook, organizing team workshops, or setting office guidelines, thesetips can help establish a clear standard of behavior and improve workplace dynamics.

By practicing good manners and following a few simple guidelines, you can contribute to a workspace where everyone feels respected and valued. Let's explore some tips to help you navigate the office landscape with ease and grace.

The Dos and Don’ts of Cubicle Etiquette

• Keep Your Area Clean and Organized: A cluttered workspace can negatively impact your productivity and create a disorganized atmosphere. To maintain a clean and efficient environment, take the time to declutter regularly and organize your belongings. Manage power cords effectively and contribute to a tidy office by keeping shared spaces clean.
• Be Mindful of Smells: Avoid strong perfumes, colognes, or food odors that might be bothersome to others. While that homemade cabbage roll from grandma or the pad Thai from the restaurant down the street is divine, if possible, have employees eat in designated areas outside their cubicles. Strong food odors can easily spread between cubicles, causing discomfort or interfering with others' concentration. Additionally, discourage employees from storing leftovers or open food in their desk drawers to prevent potential pests or mold issues.
• Minimize Noise and Use Headphones: Be mindful of the noise you generate. Avoid loud phone conversations or excessive noise with your keyboard or mouse. Although you may be separated by noise-reducing panels, be considerate of others when having conversations or move to another space in the office, like a conference room or group work area. If you’re one that needs music while you work, make sure to use headphones and turn the volume down to not disturb others around you. They might not be interested in your playlist of the day; that should be for your ears only.
• Stay Home if You’re Sick: With everyone sitting in close proximity, you’re likely to spread whatever sniffles or sneezes you have around the office very quickly. If you feel that you need to get work done that day, let a supervisor know you will work from home. Additionally, HR can keep a well-stocked supply of tissues and sanitizer readily available during flu season to support employee health and well-being.
• Avoid the Rumor Mill: Rumors can spread like wildfire in an office. To maintain a positive work environment, it's crucial to verify information before sharing it, avoid gossip, and address concerns directly. Focus on positive news and accomplishments, and lead by example.
• Respect Privacy and Personal Space: To maintain a respectful and productive work environment, remind employees to avoid “popping in” to colleagues’ cubicles without first checking availability. Encourage them to knock or send a message before entering. Additionally, emphasize the importance of asking permission before borrowing items from others’ desks. Remember, just because cubicles are open doesn't mean personal belongings are up for grabs. Finally, encourage employees to communicate their need for uninterrupted work time by updating calendars or displaying clear signs.

Additional Personal Tips

Besides the big hitters above, here are some other notable tips good manners that employees can do to bring peace to their cubicle or workstation:

• Take breaks throughout the day to stretch and refresh your mind.
• Create personal space by adding decorations, photos, or plants.
• As long as your decorations are appropriate for the workplace and don't interfere with your work or that of your coworkers, add some holiday cheer to your cubicle when the time comes!
• If you need to make personal calls during work hours, step outside your cubicle or into a designated area to avoid distracting others.
• Set boundaries; don’t be afraid to say “no” if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out. It’s important to communicate openly and honestly with your managers or supervisors on your workload and bandwidth.
• Use a “do not disturb” sign as a clear visual cue to let others know you're focusing on a task or need uninterrupted time. It’s a polite way to keep communication open and considerate.

How Do I Make My Work Cubicle More Private?

If you’ve ever worked in a cubicle, you’ve probably asked yourself, “How do I keep people out of my cubicle while not being rude?” Striking the perfect balance between protecting your privacy and maintaining proper manners can be tricky, but it’s not impossible!

Consider investing in physical privacy solutions, such as a desktop privacy panel or a polarized computer privacy filter. These can help block out visual distractions and give you a sense of personal space. You can even go the extra mile with creative additions like plants, which add a personal touch while acting as barriers.

Another simple trick is to use your workstation’s layout to your advantage. Position your desk so that your back is facing a wall or corner, minimizing the chances of others walking up behind you unnoticed. You can also place items on your desk, like a laptop or notepad, that suggest you’re in the middle of a task and don’t want to be interrupted. When you're not available for conversation, headphones or earphones can serve as an easy signal that you’re in deep focus mode.

Keep Harmony in Your Workplace

While cubicle etiquette may seem straightforward, it can sometimes require conscious effort and practice. It's important to be mindful of your surroundings and the impact of your actions on your coworkers. You can do it!

If you need assistance in upgrading your office layout with cubicles and workstations, or even if you want to reduce noise pollution with acoustic panels, please reach out to our experts and they can help transform your work environment into a place where your team can thrive.