Tag : cubicle exenders

The benefits of improving employee creativity often speak for themselves. However, you are constantly on the look out to see what else can be done to keep the momentum going. One way is by purchasing office panel extenders to fit on top of your existing cubicles, so distractions can be better controlled when employees really need to focus. Although they are still sharing the same office, when each worker feels as if they have their own personal space, this can provide a sense of motivation and keep them doing their best work. Let’s see the ways these extenders can give them that added creative spark. Studies show:

• First: that perceived control can moderate stress reactions (Glass & Singer, 1972). This means that even if every employee in that office space is under pressure and inundated with work, these panel extenders give them control over their own cubicle, that one space they feel is their personal zone. This provides more focus on what they need to do in order to get the work done. Sure, they may look across and see how their co-workers are faring and can communicate when needed but, researchers find that the ability to control one’s own environment has a significant impact on personal satisfaction. And, a more satisfied employee can block out the stresses of others and focus on their own creativity.
• Second: these panels can even help during cold and flu season! As most employers know, this is the time of year when offices are half empty or full of people who are ill. 1-in-4 U.S. employees go to work sick and with this open-work space, colds can get passed around quickly. How can someone possibly be at their creative best when they feel bad or are so sick they have to miss several days of work? Cubicles do provide some protection because employees can isolate themselves better but, these panel extenders offer an added barrier that helps to safeguard them and keep the germs out.
• Third: creativity can be blocked because of one simple thing: noise. The psychologist Nick Perham, published a study on Applied Cognitive Psychology, and found that office noise and confusion impairs workers’ ability to recall information and, can even have an effect on doing basic math. This is why libraries are so quiet; so people can think. In cubicles there is a measure of privacy but, continuous ringing of phones, loud conversations and other distractions can actually undermine employee motivation. It all comes back to control. Part of the reason office noise reduces motivation is because workers know the noise is going to be there but, feel as if there is just nothing they can do about it. This can be frustrating and unproductive if that’s all they’re really focused on. By providing office panel extenders for their cubicles, this gives them back part of that control because some of those distracting nois es will be muted.

A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology says that office distractions will make employees stressed and feel as if they are not working at their best. Add to this, a feeling of powerlessness in not having any personal space and, the fear of catching a cold or getting the flu; this can prevent them from being creative and is not a good way in bringing out their best. Providing your workers with office panel extenders for their cubicles is the best solution in giving them a sense of privacy and, help them stay productive and imaginative. To talk about this, please contact us today for more information.

Did you know? Some experts think cubicle farms are similar to zoos, in the way they modify behavior. If your workers are feeling the bite of captivity, perhaps finding ways to let them out of their cages can help!

Psychologist and corporate consultant Judith Heerwagen says you don’t have to get rid of cubicles – just ensure that workers don’t feel trapped.

“Sometimes the best thing for workers to do is to leave the workplace altogether and work from home or at a coffee shop,” she says. With the advent of VoIP, mobile phones and the ability to “plug in” almost anywhere, this is a viable options for some – but for others, how can you lessen the closed-in feel?

“People communicate better when they can see one another,” says Heerwagen. Since open offices are in decline and the traditional gossip at the water cooler option has faded with the dwindling of the regular enclosed office, most conversation now happens within cubicles.

Low-partitioned cubicles can relieve some of the closed-in feeling, and allow for spontaneous collaboration as workers pop up to ask a colleague a question. Varied cubicle extenders can help workers who feel they need more privacy attain the level of seclusion desired, while less easily distracted employees can enjoy a line of sight to co-workers.

The psychology of cubicle farms can also be addressed by layout – setting up cubes so that workers have their side to the opening instead of their back automatically reduces stress – humans have basic instincts telling them not to leave their backs unprotected, and many workers report a sense of security and “weight being lifted off shoulders” when their cubicle is reconfigured so their back isn’t to the gaping entrance to their cube.

Another option is the idea of shared space – combine two cubicles into one, design around seating for two people, and allow co-workers who commonly work together on projects to share space and resources. Alternately,. allow co-workers to come in on different shifts and take turns using a larger cubicle. Same amount of work, same number of employees, twice the legroom!

Don’t let your cubicle farm feel like a zoo. Allow your workers some say in how their cages are configured, look into cubicle extenders to provide customizable workspaces, and see higher productivity and better employee job satisfaction!

It’s time for the Friday Pick Me Up post – this year, we are starting out 2014 with a series of cool ideas for panel extenders, to make your workplace not only more efficient but more fun!

If your office is allowing flexibility in cubicle height and width, you may have a little more space to play around with your walls! Maybe an office contest is in order, to see who can be the most creative. Here’s one idea:

Create an underwater mural on your cubicle extender wall, with fish swimming lazily between corals and anemones. This works even better if you can create a background that enhances the deep sea vibe. Hang a pair of flippers or a snorkel rakishly from one corner of the cubicle wall and insist anyone speaking to you address you as Captain and sir. Reply “Aye aye” to any superiors who wander by and mutter to yourself about keelhauling whoever switched the coffee for decaf. At the very least you’ll be a shoo in for any prizes handed out on talk like a pirate day!

A bit too much? Well, you could simply hang cat pictures on your cubicle extender wall and call it a day… Seriously, what do you do about your own cubicle decor when you have higher walls to cover?

Did you see the recent Motley Fool article about Red Hat CEO, Jim Whitehurst? Much is being made of the fact that this leader toils in a cubicle alongside his employees. The author of the piece states that “It’s clear that lavish excess isn’t written in the cards for this down-to-earth corporate leader.” Just a few sentences earlier in the same paragraph, Whitehurst’s $7.4 million dollar 2011 compensation is mentioned without a trace of irony.

We’re guessing that going home to relax in a heated, Olympic sized swimming pool in the 5 acre backyard of your mansion helps take the edge off at the end of a hard work day.* For the average cubicle worker, the surroundings at their office are a little more than window dressing to create the appearance of equality. People who don’t get a choice to forego a corner office may appreciate the perks of privacy a little more. We think everyone deserves to have a little space to call their own at work. That’s why we make cubicle panel extenders affordable enough for the whole office – not just the CEO in the cubicle next door.

*This description of the Whitehurst residence is purely speculative – just like most of the investment advice on the Motley Fool site.