Cubicle Etiquette: Cube Dwellers Unite!

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I spent a couple of summers of my undergrad working in a cubicle for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Being only a “temp” I learned real quick to keep to myself, and working for the state, I learned to “pace myself”. One thing I did not learn was “cubicle etiquette”. But lucky for you, as a moving company I work for was moving the corporate headquarters of Kroger grocery, I found a copy of their cubicle etiquette stuck behind an important looking desk. I read over a few and could not help but burst out laughing. I hope it has the same effect on  you (believe me, you couldn’t make this stuff up!) :

Cubicle Etiquette

A set of “ground rules”, if you will, that will help cube dwellers remain both productive and neighborly.

Privacy

• Never enter enter someone’s cubicle without permission. Behave as though cubicles have doors. Do not enter before you have eye contact “permission” from the occupant.
• Try not to sneak up behind someone in a cube. Announce yourself at their doorway, or lightly knock on the wall.
• Don’t “praire-dog” over the tops of cubes or peek in as you walk past each one.
• Never read someone’s computer screen or comment on conversations you’ve overheard. Resist answering questions you overheard asked in the cube next to you!
• Keep your hands off a cube dwellers desk. Just because there is no door doesn’t mean you can help yourself to their paper clips.

Talking

• Use your “library voice”.
• Don’t talk through cube walls or congregate outside someone’s cube. 
• Don’t yell across the “cube farm”. Get up and move to the other person’s location.

Smells

• A good rule of thumb is never to eat hot food at your desk. Food odors can both your hungry or nauseous neighbors.
• Perfume and cologne should be avoided in a cubicle arrangement. Your neighbors may have allergies.
• Keep an air freshner handy.
• Keep your shoes on!

Now you know…the next time you take a trip to a cube farm… 

‘BH

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Tags: Cubicle Etiquette, Humor, Office