Clive
Full Metal Jacket
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Cubicle Living/Working
« on: August 29, 2008, 06:39:04 PM » |
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Oh, the things I let myself get roped into!
We're having a new building constructed, and we move into it in about three weeks. The Overload of the New Building popped into my office and said senior management thought it'd be wise if we tendered some "rules" for folks to help them conform their behavior to cubicle life. Yeah, that sounded like fun. I got a peek at some of the "off the tops of our heads" notions they had, and I agreed to head the "committee" of randomly chosen employees who'll draft up these "rules". Mostly to kill some of their ideas.
I called our meeting, we had a nice chat, everyone got a chance to express fears/concerns/gripes and to brainstorm ways to defuse potential problems. (There are a good number of behaviors exhibited here (in offices) that will NOT work well in the new cubicle environment.)
And now I'm saddled with the task of cobbling together an actual draft of guidelines (I shan't call them rules). I look to you for some suggestions about stuff to sneak in there, as well as your thoughts on the most effective presentation style (humorous, serious, etc.). It looks like they'll be disseminated in paper form without opportunity for discussion (i.e., not at an all-hands meeting where any Q&A can occur). We're a group of about 60-70 employees -- much more small-company friendliness than korprit hate here.
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Spanky
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #1 on: August 29, 2008, 06:43:38 PM » |
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Have you seen Wanted?
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Spanky
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #2 on: August 29, 2008, 06:46:36 PM » |
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On a serious note no fleshlights
OK really serious, if you are anything in real life like you are here you should do fine with you "presentation".
And have an exit plan (meaning while you are presenting you know how to get the *fudge* out quick because everyone will hate you).
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dystopia
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat From: Silicon Valley
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2008, 06:48:17 PM » |
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How strict are you talking about? Safety things like space heaters or courtesy rules like playing music, eating at desk, limits on pieces of flair, etc.
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gleek
Flak Jacket
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OfflineE chu ta!
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2008, 06:51:12 PM » |
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1. No testicular self-examinations unless you post a warning sign at your cubicle entry (and it's during your lunch break, of course).
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Woman, open the door, don't let it sting. I wanna breathe that fire again.
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JDerion
Vest & Plus Fours
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2008, 07:09:43 PM » |
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Do you work with a pack of wild wolves? How much direction do you need to learn how to sit in a chair in a cubicle?
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Sigurdur Hjartarson is a douche bag
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Clive
Full Metal Jacket
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2008, 07:26:01 PM » |
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Do you work with a pack of wild wolves? How much direction do you need to learn how to sit in a chair in a cubicle? Ummm ...  |
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Clive
Full Metal Jacket
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2008, 07:31:32 PM » |
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How strict are you talking about? Safety things like space heaters or courtesy rules like playing music, eating at desk, limits on pieces of flair, etc. The initial "thoughts" were things like no food AT ALL in the cubes; limit of TWO personal photos (with size limits, too!). I mean, I deadpanned something about the new uniforms ... and everyone thought I was serious. Good thing I didn't mention the morning company calisthenics! It's mostly common sense, as you'd expect, and falls into Sight, Sound, Smells, Privacy and Personal Items realms. Stuff like: no stinky food in the cube or cube trash; quiet music; use handset instead of speakerphone; "inside voices"; being mindful that others can see your checking information on your monitor as you do your online banking; and so on. Looking for self-regulation; failing resolution, try direct interaction to remove friction; failing resolution, go to HR, then sit back and watch the pyrotechnics. |
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Spanky
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #8 on: August 29, 2008, 07:32:58 PM » |
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Are people sharing cubes?
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Clive
Full Metal Jacket
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #9 on: August 29, 2008, 07:35:47 PM » |
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They aren't doubling up in one 6x6 square area, no. But each "cluster" has from 4 to 8 cubicles in it. In some cases, most everyone has his/her back to the public spaces; in others, people work with backs to each other and kinda sideways to the direction others would approach from.
Full disclosure: I got an office. But I'm guessing mentioning that is as unwise as punctuating the declaration with "suck it, bitches!"
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spacey
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat From: Group W Bench
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #10 on: August 29, 2008, 07:53:29 PM » |
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No food AT ALL? Two personal pictures? Jesus, I thought you were talking about things like "no farting," and "if other people can hear your Rush Limbaugh, it's too loud."
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stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
Karma: 155 Posts: 16135
OfflineWe're doomed!
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #11 on: August 29, 2008, 07:57:11 PM » |
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LMAO! I've never been in a cubicle in my life. I have no idea what the etiquette/rules may call for.
Good luck!
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Spanky
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2008, 08:01:59 PM » |
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Speakers should not be an option. Food should be OK as long as they are neat. Stapler obsession optional  |
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spacey
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat From: Group W Bench
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #13 on: August 29, 2008, 08:06:57 PM » |
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Being a former cube dweller, I'd probably say:
No scented candles or air fresheners
Use discretion in fragrances and lotions
You may listen to music but not loud enough that others can hear it, unless they have voted that they actually want to
Not everyone thinks posters of babies dressed as adults in grown-up situations are cute
Keep personal phone conversations to a minimum, even if you're working while you're talking
When you are having a personal conversation, don't air your dirty laundry, we can all hear you. Loser.
Even though they're technically fully clothed, your pin-up calendar is probably not appropriate for work
If your screen-saver makes noise, your coworkers are allowed to kill you, likewise your "clever" alert sounds
Eat your tuna sandwich in the breakroom, stinky
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stroh
Sleeveless Hoodie From: Impact Crater Springs, CA
Karma: 155 Posts: 16135
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Re: Cubicle Living/Working
« Reply #14 on: August 29, 2008, 08:10:07 PM » |
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Being a former cube dweller, I'd probably say:
No scented candles or air fresheners
Use discretion in fragrances and lotions
You may listen to music but not loud enough that others can hear it, unless they have voted that they actually want to
Not everyone thinks posters of babies dressed as adults in grown-up situations are cute
Keep personal phone conversations to a minimum, even if you're working while you're talking
When you are having a personal conversation, don't air your dirty laundry, we can all hear you. Loser.
Even though they're technically fully clothed, your pin-up calendar is probably not appropriate for work
If your screen-saver makes noise, your coworkers are allowed to kill you, likewise your "clever" alert sounds
Eat your tuna sandwich in the breakroom, stinky
Weird. Things that are totally beyond consideration in my work environment. |
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