Are You A Good Office Cubicle Neighbor or An Annoying One?

I truly do miss working in an office cubicle. There was something comforting about a little “boxed-off” section of the office that was solely mine. A place where I could escape, keep my head down and get my work done! That is, unless the day was filled with distractions from annoying office cubicle neighbors. Know what I’m talking about? It can be frustrating to realize that after nine jam-packed hours in the office, you still haven’t knocked a major item off your to-do list because these types of inconsiderate coworkers have distracted you.

It’s the downside to any office, really. So, do a self-check. Are you a good office cubicle neighbor or an annoying one?

The Personal Call Office Cubicle Neighbor

Annoying Office Cubicle Neighbor: Makes back-to-back personal phone calls from the office phone.

Good Office Cubicle Neighbor: Leaves the work phone for work conversations only.

It might sound insensitive, but nobody wants to hear about your kids getting sick or how angry you are with your husband. Nor do they want to eavesdrop on your conversation regarding the embarrassing thing your friend did at the bar last night. Personal information can make others feel uncomfortable, and constant chatting on the phone about non-work subjects can make you look like someone who isn’t getting their work done.

The Social Butterfly Office Cubicle Neighbor

Annoying Office Cubicle Neighbor: Always standing up peering over into another coworker’s cubicle or laughing away at someone else’s desk 2 rows down.

Good Office Cubicle Neighbor: Plugging away at his or her computer.

No one says you have to be chained to your computer but a chair that sits empty most of the time can symbolize laziness. Co-workers will grow to resent people who just come to work to have a good time but don’t seem to be actually putting in a full day’s work.

The Smarmy Bragger Office Cubicle Neighbor

Annoying Office Cubicle Neighbor: Brags or embellishes work success.

Good Office Cubicle Neighbor: Gives co-workers credit when due.

Even worse than the social butterfly is the person who tries to look better than everyone else. Taking credit for someone else’s work, throwing a coworker under the bus during a meeting, and making outrageous complements to the boss will quickly make coworkers feel resentment towards you. While being a valuable asset to the company is important, it’s best to be subtle and let the quality of your work speak for itself.

The Complainer Office Cubicle Neighbor

Annoying Office Cubicle Neighbor: Always starts conversation with what is wrong or bothersome.

Good Office Cubicle Neighbor: Vents occasionally when warranted but for the most part is pleasant.

It’s ok for people to vent sometimes but if you spend an inordinate amount of time complaining to anyone who’ll listen, you’re not going to succeed in making things better. You’ll only succeed in bumming everyone out. Remember, just because the person you’re complaining to doesn’t say anything, that doesn’t mean he or she agrees with you. They’re probably just hoping you’ll finish complaining soon, or leave the company already.

The Gossipy Office Cubicle Neighbor

Annoying Office Cubicle Neighbor: Likes to highlight the misery of others.

Good Office Cubicle Neighbor: Respectful and does not talk about others behind their backs.

The office gossip is the one that spends most of his or her time at the front desk whispering to the receptionist. If anyone’s having an affair or getting fired, they’re always the first to know; whether the info they’re passing on is actually correct is secondary. They thrive on information but their actions are never kind. Here’s the thing about office gossip: people notice the people who are always in the middle of it. A person that talks about others is seen as untrustworthy and that’s not a character trait for success.

Want to read more about office cubicle etiquette? Here are 7 common sense office cubicle etiquette tips!

And, if you find that your office needs a more improved office cubicle layout to reduce the interaction between employees – contact us!  ROSI Office Systems, Inc., the top provider of cubicles in Houston, Austin and San Antonio provides complete office solutions including our own remanufactured cubicle brand, ReCube, new cubicles, open office work stations, office furniture casegoods and data cabling. ROSI also provides FREE space planning. Contact ROSI today for a new office design that is productive and engaging.