Office Etiquette
By MBA
If you walk the corporate landscape, then you know having an office is a luxury. When I am in my office, I can talk as loudly as I want, and it doesn't bother anyone but when you are in a cubicle setting, anytime someone talks above normal levels, it is fair game for everyone to hear.
I've heard people talking about personal information with a doctor, talking to their stock broker, or making dinner plans. I heard more than I ever wanted to hear when I was in a cube.
While there are certain standards most offices follow - such as not eating lunch at your desk and not leaving your cell phone on during business hours - there is an appropriate office etiquette that can make working close to others easier for everyone involved.
Here are some tips:
Don't hold meetings in your cube. With a whole group of people talking in a small setting, it's easy to distract others.
Avoid noisy screensavers, or setting your e-mail to a line from your favorite song every time a message appears in your inbox.
Don't use a speaker phone: Double trouble - not one annoying voice, but two.
Watch the personal calls: Your neighbors don't want to hear about your weekend plans when they're trying to conduct business.
Avoid strong smells: Some people are allergic to colognes, perfumes and deodorants. If you must wear them, keep them light.
Cubicle decorations: Sure the family pictures are great, but beware of posting material that may have a personally offensive message.
Keep the radio low: Some radio shows can be borderline offensive. What may be funny to you, may not be to someone else.
If you walk the corporate landscape, then you know having an office is a luxury. When I am in my office, I can talk as loudly as I want, and it doesn't bother anyone but when you are in a cubicle setting, anytime someone talks above normal levels, it is fair game for everyone to hear.
I've heard people talking about personal information with a doctor, talking to their stock broker, or making dinner plans. I heard more than I ever wanted to hear when I was in a cube.
While there are certain standards most offices follow - such as not eating lunch at your desk and not leaving your cell phone on during business hours - there is an appropriate office etiquette that can make working close to others easier for everyone involved.
Here are some tips:
Don't hold meetings in your cube. With a whole group of people talking in a small setting, it's easy to distract others.
Avoid noisy screensavers, or setting your e-mail to a line from your favorite song every time a message appears in your inbox.
Don't use a speaker phone: Double trouble - not one annoying voice, but two.
Watch the personal calls: Your neighbors don't want to hear about your weekend plans when they're trying to conduct business.
Avoid strong smells: Some people are allergic to colognes, perfumes and deodorants. If you must wear them, keep them light.
Cubicle decorations: Sure the family pictures are great, but beware of posting material that may have a personally offensive message.
Keep the radio low: Some radio shows can be borderline offensive. What may be funny to you, may not be to someone else.
Back
to top
Related...
Home
Related Links