Office planners find modular work areas or cubicles are very practical. They give more flexibility if workspace needs to be re-configured. They are less expensive. It is easy to walk across the floor and see who is there and who is on the phone. However, some employees do not like cubicles because they feel a loss of privacy, and they are not completely insulated from outside noise and distractions.

We have some tips from workers who have made their cubicles a productive and comfortable workspace. If you have the cubicle city blues, we hope you'll find a tip or two valuable.

Keeping Distractions to a Minimum

When you are too busy, post a sign outside your cubicle entry. For example, "Working to meet a deadline, please send me an email or a voicemail."

Keep candy jars, joke calendars and other distractions near the edge of your cubicle or outside your cubicle entry.

Also keep your inbox and outbox near your cubicle entrance or outside your cubicle.

Don't drop in on others. It gives them an invitation to do the same to you.

Handle drop-ins, by standing, stepping toward your entrance and explaining that you've got to get back to work.

If you can arrange it, have your desk face the wall and not the entrance. You'll be less likely to make eye contact with passers-by, which can be perceived as an invitation for a break.

Keeping the Noise Level Down

Use headphones or keep the volume low on your music players. Others will pick up on your idea. If they don't, let them know where you got your headphones. Sometimes you can get them on sale for as little as $9.99.

If outside noise gets out of control, politely let your neighbors know. Create a department wide signal to let others know that you are on a call and need complete silence.

Privacy

Take your private conversations to a private conference room.

It is easy to get a false sense of privacy. Remember that your neighbors can hear your conversations.

Maintain a locking drawer for confidential information.

Password-protect your computer, so others cannot log onto it while you are away.

Leave a pen and paper on your desk where it can be easily found. Many times people will wander into your space looking for something to write a note on and may rummage through your desk to find one.

Time Savers and Organizational Tips

Keep your work surfaces organized and uncluttered. Small spaces seem smaller when they are cluttered.

When you are away from your desk, put a note outside your cubicle indicating when you'll return, or coordinate an In/Out Board for your department or unit. This will reduce the number of people asking your neighbors where you are, and the same goes for when your neighbors are out.

If your desk faces the wall, try hanging a small mirror across from you so you can see the entrance of your cubicle. You won't have the urge to turn around every time someone passes by your doorway.

Check with your office supply store for cubicle organizers like over the cube wall coat hooks in boxes and shelves.

Buy a roll of Velcro from a fabric store. Use it to hang clear acrylic 8x10 frames. You can put phone directories, phone scripts, or other documents that you need at a glance. Tacks and tape don't work well on fabric cube walls, and stickpins in paper can look messy and tattered after a while. The Velcro frames are moveable so you can reorganize frequently without wrinkling your papers.

Most cube offices are furnished with adjustable desks and shelves. If your desk is too low or high, ask your Office Manager for your desk to be ergonomically optimized to avoid injury or discomfort.