Open environments and cubicles are here to stay. Ensure that your business relationships enjoy that same longevity by employing this Top 20 List of Effective Cubicle Behaviors which will open doors to a more productive and enjoyable workplace.
1. Mute your volume, and reduce your number of sound‑activated keystrokes or messages (“You’ve got mail,” etc.) to avoid bothering those around you.
2. If you listen to your radio, online news or music, always wear a headset.
3. If you cough deeply or have other annoying body functions that occur while sitting in your cubicle, take frequent trips to the washroom or other private areas to avoid distracting or offending your associates.
4. Avoid using the speakerphone function of your telephone.
5. If you have food in your cubicle, keep it sealed. After you eat in your cubicle, make sure there are no crumbs or sugar that might attract bugs or rodents.
6. Avoid using fingernail polish remover or polish your nails while in your cubicle. Also, forgo clipping and filing your nails in your cubicle.
7. Avoid lengthy conversation (four or five minutes) with people who stand in ‑ or near ‑ your cubicle. Instead, take your conversation into a room that allows for privacy.
8. Avoid lengthy personal phone calls in your cubicle of any kind, including calls to or from your children, squabbles with your spouse, calls to your bank, creditors, or the pharmacy, etc. If you need to make personal calls, do so from your cell phone or an enclosed payphone. Sometimes special meeting rooms are designated for such purposes.
9. Avoid cursing, lying, telling inappropriate jokes or long rambling stories in your cubicle.
10. Avoid noisy jewelry, perfumes, colognes, or after-shave.
11. Practice impeccable hygiene.
12. Avoid chewing and popping your gum, slurping coffee, or making grunting or groaning noises that show displeasure over a task or interaction.
13. Avoid putting religious or political posters in your cubicle. Also, limit sporting memorabilia. Do not display anything that may be perceived as offensive or degrading to any individual or group.
14. Put any medication or vitamins out of sight.
15. If you have children who create art, hang their art in simple frames instead of pinning them up akimbo.
16. Take down out‑of‑date greeting cards.
17. Avoid keeping too many stuffed animal or toys into your cubicle.
18. Plants grow poorly in cubicles unless they are near a window, so if you want plants in your cubicle, buy silk or artificial plants.
19. Avoid interrupting those around you to ask questions or make comments.
20. Thank those around you who exhibit positive cubicle behaviors.