| Office cubicles is a general description for furniture | | | | possibly a shared worksurface separating the |
| used in open-plan areas. This type of furniture is also | | | | workstations. In addition to teams that work on the |
| referred to as systems furniture or workstations. My | | | | same project, office cubicles are a great design for |
| recollection is that systems furniture began to take off | | | | people who perform the same functions. |
| in the early 1980s; although this type of furniture was | | | | If you work in an open-plan area, here are some |
| first introduced in the mid-1960s. | | | | "courtesy" issues that will make everyone more |
| Much research information has been compiled about | | | | productive and less frustrated: |
| the positives and negatives of office cubicles. | | | | - Phones: Keep the ringer volume down, don't use your |
| However, most of what I have read compares open | | | | speaker phone, and speak softly |
| plan furniture to private office furniture. Unless my | | | | - Cell Phones: Unless you receive work-related cell |
| memory is failing me, in most cases I believe that | | | | phone calls, leave you cell phone turned off. Listen to |
| office cubicles did not replace private offices. Prior to | | | | your messages at lunch time; give your friends and |
| panel systems office furniture, desks were placed | | | | family your work phone number for emergencies. |
| against walls or lined up in a row. I've been there and I | | | | - Music/Radio: Although I believe that headphones are |
| can assure you that office cubicles are a huge | | | | fine in the office, I think that radio playing should be |
| improvement over a row of metal desks with | | | | banned during working hours. And, don't blast your |
| absolutely no privacy. | | | | music just because it's after normal working hours |
| Power, wiring, and cabling: | | | | unless you are absolutely the only person in the office. |
| Major manufacturers of office cubicles now | | | | - Gossip: This should be obvious because you never |
| accommodate the latest technology requirements. This | | | | know whose listening. |
| includes telecommunications, networking, and multiple | | | | - Interruptions: Respect other people's area when they |
| power outlets. Access is available at the desktop level | | | | are busy and don't interrupt someone when they are |
| (also known as "the beltline). There are also various | | | | on the phone. Be considerate of other people's time as |
| lighting options other than the standard task light | | | | they could be diligently working on something that has |
| located under an overhead storage cabinet. These are | | | | an urgent deadline. |
| important decisions to make and not all manufacturers | | | | - Food: Personally, I think it's fine to enjoy a beverage |
| have identical applications. If you are in the process of | | | | or even have lunch in your workstation ... although I |
| planning a large project, your architect will be very | | | | know that it is frowned upon in many offices. |
| helpful when deciding on your cabling, power, and | | | | However, be careful about foods that have strange |
| wiring needs. | | | | aromas. |
| Although panel systems furniture absorb a certain | | | | - Neatness/Cleanliness: Over the years, it has become |
| amount of sound, it does seem that there is a great | | | | apparent to me that many people who have a lot of |
| deal of noise in the workplace these days. I believe | | | | files, paperwork, etc. on their desks is because they |
| that part of this is due to equipment and phones ... | | | | really are overworked. Just try to keep your stuff in |
| speaker phones, cell phones, and the ability to crank up | | | | your area and keep it clean. |
| the volume to levels that are completely unacceptable. | | | | - Fragrances: About 20 years ago I worked for a man |
| There are many other elements besides panels that | | | | who was so terribly allergic to all fragrances that he it |
| make up office cubicles: worksurfaces, overhead | | | | affected him when someone walked by with a |
| cabinets, pencil drawers, pedestals, under counter | | | | magazine that had a fragrance sample. From that time |
| lateral files, keyboard trays, task lights, and paper | | | | on, I stopped wearing perfumes. Even if people aren't |
| management accessories. | | | | allergic, there are so many "odd" smelling perfumes |
| Panel heights are critical. Several years ago the panels | | | | that it's best to save them for those "away from |
| in most office cubicles were as high as possible. This | | | | work" times. |
| may have cut down on some of the noise, but it also | | | | - Confidential/Personal Issues: At times we all need to |
| blocks sunlight and light coming from ceiling fixtures. | | | | make a phone call that is private. Find a private area to |
| In recent years the team concept has come into play. | | | | make these calls so it doesn't cause an uncomfortable |
| It is now more common to have high panels around a | | | | situation for you or anyone else. |
| group of workstations with lower "wing" panels and | | | | |
