How to Act in the Office

It is very common for employees of a large company to work in a large open space filled with cubicles. When working in a cubicle at times the cubicle may give the impression of privacy, but this could not be further from the truth. Your co workers can hear you, and usually see you as well. Here are some helpful tips that can stop you from looking foolish in front of your co workers and maybe even save your job.

Disturbing the Peace:
The biggest complaint in any office is usually people disturbing the peace and quiet in the office. People thing that because they are in a cubicle they can talk on their cell phones or play a radio and no one will hear them. I am here to tell you this could not be further from the truth. The people around you can hear every word of your phone calls and hear every note from your radio, and no matter how nice you think the music is the people around you may not think so. Try to keep personal calls to your break time or walk out of the office when you have to take a personal call, and if your boss allows you to listen to the radio use headphones so you do not disturb the other people in the office.

Talking Behind their Backs:
Getting caught talking about co workers behind their backs is the most common cause of hostile environment lawsuit. This is why many companies will immediately fire someone who is found to be talking about the other people in the company to cover themselves from being sued. My advice is to keep what you hear or see to yourself.

Non Company Correspondences:
In the last 15 years it has become common for employees to have access to the internet at each employee's desk. Employees have taken advantage of this to the point that it would be imposable to fire every worker who was caught emailing friends during the work day. This does not mean that you should take advantage of this and spend all day on your personal email. Remember be fair to the company and it will usually be fair to you. Don’t expect to get a raise or promotion when you spend several hours at your desk online with non work related things.

Don’t Walk Around for no Reason:
Very often office workers need to give something to someone on the other side of the office or maybe talk to someone in another department so t not be at your desk all the time may be common, but that does not mean that sitting and talking to someone else is acceptable. It is one thing to ask someone how they are but to have a 10 minute conversation on company time is just bad work ethics on your part. If your boss sees you talking too many times instead of working you will be looking for a new job with no one to blame but yourself.

Eating in the Office:
When I worked in the land of cubicles I had to work while I ate at my desk all the time to make sure everything was done by the deadline, and so did many of my coworkers. Nothing irritated me more then when someone would bring in some hot food that was very aromatic. If it smelled good it was a distraction and if it smelled bad it was even more of a distraction.

Au Natural:
Before you put on that aftershave in the morning you may want to take a moment to think if it is really appropriate. It is not uncommon for some people to be bothered by colognes and perfumes in the office. This can cause headaches in some people and if you are the cause if this your job can quickly be in jeopardy especially if it is the boss who you are disturbing.

Make Yourself at Home:
No boss would object to anyone putting up some pictures of their family, but your cubicle is not your living room. A picture is a motivator for working hard, but making yourself feel like you are at home will lower your productivity, and makes the office look less professional to visitors and perspective clients.

Before you do anything in the office always ask yourself if it could in any way bother a fellow worker if the answer is yes then do not so it. No one wants to lose their job over something stupid.

About the Author:
Stacy Maxgate has a degree in behavioral science. She uses her skills to win playing texas holdem poker in casinos. She also does online casino reviews for a living.