Business Etiquette Series – Our Office, Our Cubicle…

We should all take pride in our workplace. Our Office, Desk or Cubicle should be clean and orderly. Doing this tells others that you have a personal stake in your Organization, like you own the place.

How your Office, Desk or Cubicle looks, sends a message about YOU.

Please follow these (common sense) rules of Office/ Cubicle Etiquette:

• Ask permission before entering a Cubicle/ Office.
• Unless with prior authority, do not enter an Office/ Cubicle when its occupant is not in it.
• Do not snoop in your colleague’s bag, backpack, phone or other personal stuff. Do not even give the appearance of snooping. It’s creepy!
• Do not peek into files on another person’s desk.
• When you approach an occupant whose back is turned to you, do announce your presence immediately. Do not give the appearance of sneaking up on them.
• Divert your eyes from their computer screen, unless specifically invited to look at it.
• It is only polite to step away when your colleague is on the telephone. If it is urgent, scribble a note and hand it to them. Only stand there if a bomb’s about to explode and you need to warn them!
• Take your trash with you when you leave.
• Do not place any cups, handbags, cell phones, (or anything else) on a desk, or any other surface that is not yours.
• Do not borrow anything from any cubicle/office without permission.
• Return what you borrowed.
• Go ahead and personalize your cubicle/office with pictures of the family, loved ones, artwork you enjoy, and other items that have meaning for you.

 

Key Learning point: Respect the territory of others. You should also enforce your own space. Do send a message of competence and control by keeping your space organized.