Tag : cubicles

Sadly, office cubicles don’t always have the best reputation. There are even movies about hassled, unhappy cubicle workers. Surely. however, this is not the fate of all those cubicle dwellers in the world!

Here are some of the reasons the cubicle manages to stay relevant, even with all the negative press – they aren’t just a cheap way for office owners to keep things running, they are actually beneficial for the right kind of workforce. You might be surprised how many workers prefer  the privacy of a cubicle compared to the chaos of an open office layout or the closed off feeling individual glass walls can cause.

Cubicles Actually Benefit Collaboration!

When you are in a glass office, it’s hard to bounce ideas off of coworkers. Low walls between those who work together often can make it easy to converse throughout the day, while cubicle height extenders can help those on another aisle ignore the conversation.

Cubicles Lead to Less Distractions

In an open office layout with no walls, it’s easy for employees to become distracted.  It’s not just the movement of people walking right past; its the music, the crackling of food packages, the phone calls and so on. Cubicles provide a much needed  level of privacy without undue isolation.

Cubicles Lead to Greater Productivity

Office cubicles offer a certain level of accountability, since managers can easily see who is working and who is goofing off. It’s an easy way to stay on top of deadlines, with less chance of people slacking off since they are in close proximity.

Cubicles Make Employees Feel Like They Have Privacy

Even relatively low walls can provide a sense of personal space for employees, and [panel extenders can increase that for those who need an even quieter workplace or who work on sensitive issues.

Cubicles Actually Foster Social Interaction

Employees are much more likely to get to know their co-workers in a cubicle setting, and can also control what interaction happens which contributes to a happier, healthier workplace environment.  People were meant to live and work and play together, and cubicles prevent complete isolation.

If your open office or glass walled office layout isn’t working well, you might consider using cubicles and panel extenders to create a more fluid workplace, where everyone has the space they need and no-one feels overwhelmed OR cramped!

It’s always amusing to see the pendulum swinging back and forth between the champions of the open office and the proponents of the cubicle. We blogged about the “Me Place” workstation back in July of last year. But the latest publicity at OfficingToday.com gave us a chance to check out the video featuring an interview with the designers of this piece. They are very careful not to call their invention a cubicle. The article about the un-cubes describes them thus, “This particular workstation range features enclosed desks with walls”. Hmm. Sounds a lot like a cubicle.

But the creators of the Docklands furniture range say this station is not intended to be used as a cubicle. The enclosures are smaller than a cubicle and not as fully equipped. Instead, these pods are intended to be:

• A touch down space for workers who aren’t always in the office
• Hotdesking workspaces for organizations with a frequently varying on-site headcount
• A temporary workstation for visiting clients who need privacy
• A location where employees can go when they need an escape from the hubbub of an open office

Basically, these tiny freestanding offices are a potential solution to the fact that the open office with no walls, no privacy, and too much noise simply doesn’t work for everyone all the time. The designers are calling this a new furniture typology.

Not Quite So New?

We think it’s a cozy and attractive design, but there’s an excellent article by Simon Keane-Cowell at Architon that demonstrates quite effectively that the idea of “semi-private, space-shaping furniture elements” has been around for a long time. The original forebears of the modern cubicle may simply have been introduced before the time was ripe for such ideas. According to Cowell, the reason the Action Office and other early designs were commercially unsuccessful may have been, “…that they were too progressive, that they weren’t so much responding to a shift in organizational behavior, but rather seeking to effect organizational-behavioral change through design.” Today’s open office plans could be accused of the same thing by attempting to force a collaborative atmosphere by how space is used.

The Open Office of the Future Won’t Be Quite So Open

In any event, the current trend seems to be moving toward a balance of open and enclosed work areas. No doubt Docklands and other, similar products will be a part of this solution. However, these changes won’t be cheap. Keane-Cowell points out, “There’s a not insignificant financial investment required to populate your office with bays, pods and hubs.” Of course, he doesn’t know that we have a product that can turn a freestanding desk into a pod in less than five minutes. But you know! Contact us to order desk-mounted privacy panels today and get a quick and affordable retrofit for your open office.

Here at OBEX, we talk a lot about the pros and cons of cubicles vs. open workstations. But these two options do have one thing in common. There are many days when your employees will wish they were elsewhere. The nice thing about cubicle panels is that they make it easier to “get away” and imagine being on a beautiful tropical beach. You can create whatever view you prefer rather than having to stare at coworkers all day. Here are 3 ways to add a window into the world where employees would like to be if they weren’t stuck in a cube.

Dream Cubicle

This manufacturer provides peel and stick decals that you can install directly on the cubicle panel. Employees could select mountains, forests, beaches, hayfields, and more.

Has a worker relocated to your regional office from Manhattan?They can still enjoy the New York skyline with a cubicle window.

These wallpapers supposedly stick to most surfaces – even fabric-covered acoustic panels. But the Dream Cubicle team sends little pins in the package too just in case these giant stickers need to be tacked down. Sizes for these windows go up to 2×3 feet for a fully immersive experience.

CubiVue

If you want a more true-to-life tactile experience, this option’s got you covered with its real wooden window frame. Employees also get versatility built in since each frame comes with four different “views” printed on heavy duty cardstock. They can switch out the view every day if that’s what it takes to stave off ennui. The main drawback is the size. With an opening less than 12×14 in this tiny window, workers may feel like their cubicle is even smaller than before.

OBEX Panels

You know we have a solution for this too – and it’s actually available for either desk mounted panels or panel extenders. We can custom print panels to transport your employees to anywhere they’d like to go. They can gaze at lovely green grass, a pathway strewn with autumn leaves, or the crystal blue depths of a tropical ocean. Unlike wall stickers or cardstock, these panels can easily last for decades. You can install them on one side or all 3 sides of a workstation if you want to create a complete environment of calm. They are also very easy to remove if you decide to switch them out or move them to a different workstation.

How many times over the last 15 years have you read an article about the imminent “Death of the cubicle”? It’s a meme that keeps cropping up over and over regardless of how often it is proven wrong. There’s another article up on Mashable right now that says almost 1 out of 5 professionals believe that the cubicle will be “extinct” within the next 5 years. We’re not going to be putting any money on that prediction. In fact, the cubicle has made more comebacks than a reanimated corpse in a zombie movie.

No matter how many times someone writes about what the “cubicle-free” offices look like at Google and FaceBook, most white collar workers don’t work at those two companies. In fact, those are the same firms that come up whenever anyone does a slideshow about the coolest offices in the world. Obviously, this distinction doesn’t make them trend setters; it makes them outliers. The fact is that the backlash against the open office with its high noise levels and complete lack of privacy has already begun. Until someone comes up with a completely different alternative, we’re probably looking at most employers finding a balance between open and secluded work areas. For enclosed workstations, a cubicle with high panels (or a desk with surface mounted privacy panels) is the most sensible and cost effective solution.

So, while design details may continue to change, we think the cubicle is here to stay for the next 5 years – and probably the next 50. Perhaps they will outlast us all…

Image courtesy of Flickr user joelogon

Today, Loosecubes is shutting its virtual doors, leaving 25,000 members and 1000 host offices around the globe to mourn its loss. The company, founded in 2010, was the brain child of Campbell McKellar and Anna Thomas. They decided that the mobile workers, independent contractors, and entrepreneurs of today needed an option besides working at home or out of their local coffee shop. The concept of coworking spaces had been around for a while, but not every city has this kind of facility. In contrast, every city does have office buildings – most of which aren’t used to capacity all the time.

Don’t Let Empty Space Go to Waste

Think of the average office you’ve worked in. There are typically quite a few cubicles that are empty all day. The occupants might be on vacation. Or, the workstations might be sitting idle while HR searches for new employees to fill those spots. Whatever the reason, this space is simply not being used. The idea behind Loosecubes was to match people in need of a temporary workspace with businesses that were willing to be hosts for a day or two, free of charge. Guests get access to a worksurface, a chair, and a wi-fi signal as well as lighting, climate control, electricity, and other amenities that the host company would be paying for anyway.

Everybody Wins, and It’s Free!

The purpose of this matchmaking service was to foster the exchange of ideas and create a network of business relationships that transcended the walls of the office building. Employers might tap into the pool of freelancers and mobile workers to find their next ideal job candidate, vendor, or business partner. Or, the visiting workers might bring fresh ideas to the business and energize employees. It was a cool concept and was greatly enjoyed by both hosts and guests while it lasted.

Enthusiasm No Substitute for Business Savvy

As a recently launched business ourselves, we certainly feel for Loosecubes. Sadly, the project petered out because it focused more on buzz than bucks. Apparently, the creators didn’t plan in advance for how to monetize their venture. Maybe if they’d been co-working in a cubicle alongside a business or financial advisor during their brainstorming sessions, things would have turned out differently…

If you do a quick web search for content about cubicles, you’ll come away with a pretty bleak picture of how employees feel about this type of workstation. Most articles offering advice make it clear from the outset that the goal is simply to make cube life a little more bearable. This excerpt from Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht’s “The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Work” is a good example. The authors write about ways to survive in a tiny workspace.

Many of the tips are tongue in cheek (they recommend suspending your stapler and tape dispenser from the ceiling to free up valuable desk space and hiding luxury items like your TV and hair dryer). But a lot of the recommendations are reasonable. For example, they caution against picking a cubicle near a supply room or other high traffic area. Employees who actually have a choice about where they sit can benefit from this tip and some of the other advice as well.

Of course, their statement that standard cube size is 8×8 may be a little outdated for a book published in 2008. Cubicles have been shrinking in size over the past couple of decades. So, chances are your employees are feeling more cramped than ever. Is it possible for workers to actually be happy and productive in such tight quarters?

We believe the answer is 3-fold:

1. First, the company culture and especially the employees’ relationship with their immediate supervisor is the most important factor in satisfaction. Employees with flexible schedules and a boss who is “on their side” are likely to adjust well to their work environment – even the dreaded cubicle.
2. Second, the nature of the work assigned is very important. For example, employees at startup companies who are thoroughly excited about the innovative project they are working on are less likely to be bummed out by shortcomings in their workspace than those who do boring, repetitive tasks. Cross training employees may break up the monotony and help them stay interested in coming to work.
3. Finally, the quality of the design, layout and materials used for the cubicle do matter. Even a small cube can be outfitted with a comfortable chair, ergonomic tools like a keyboard tray and adjustable monitor arm, and panel extenders that add privacy and reduce noisy distractions.

How do you help your employees thrive in the cubicle workspace? Share your advice in the comments.

Often, Twitter is just noise. But sometimes, there are really good ideas flitting around! @LeeHasAnxiety recently suggested that there should be an Extreme Makeover: Cubicle Edition. That’s a fantastic idea. Let’s brainstorm what a cubicle makeover would look like. Not one of those “world’s best cubicles” that has mahogany paneling. Keep it real with products that are actually within reach for the average business. Here are some ideas to kick things off using panel extenders. These suggestions are based on the top complaints workers have about cubicles.

Add Privacy

Cubicle walls are kind of like hemlines – the height changes depending on what’s in fashion. Today’s cubicles feature ultra-low walls that offer as little practical protection as a miniskirt in a blizzard. It’s time for the pendulum to swing in the other direction. Fortunately, you don’t have to replace your cubicle “wardrobe” to accomplish this. You can tailor each cubicle to the desired height with panel extenders.

Reduce Noise

Working in a cubicle with low walls is just as annoying as living in an apartment with thin walls. Employees really don’t want to know each other that well – they would much rather have some peace and quiet so they can work. Our acoustic tiles feature Soundboard fiberboard covered with textiles made from recycled materials. They block sound about 50% better than non-acoustic panels.

Manage Light

Having too much light is just as problematic as having too little. Our semi-translucent polycarbonate panels help employees manage lighting in two ways. First, they can separate workspaces to prevent one worker’s task lamp from casting glare on a coworker’s computer screen. Second, they allow natural lighting to penetrate into the cubicle so there’s not so much gloom.

Incorporate Color

Choose from our library of fabrics, pick a bold polycarbonate hue, or request custom panels in any color of the rainbow. We can add graphics and other design features to your panels to keep the work environment beautiful and interesting. No more dull, gray, featureless cubicles!

What cost-effective cubicle makeover tips can you dream up?

We came across a funny infographic on Pinterest a couple of weeks ago. In it, “Five O’ Clock Fred” opines the 8 drawbacks of working in a cubicle. In the spirit of a humorous response, we present: the 5 benefits of working in a cubicle that’s equipped with panel extenders.

Benefit #1 – You Get to Be Selfish

With noise-blocking panel extenders, coworkers are less likely to hear you eating candy. An acoustic panel dampens the sound of rustling candy wrappers, the squeak of the drawer hiding your candy stash, or the crunch of a Kit-Kat bar. If you hate to share your candy, the cubicle is a great place to eat it!

Benefit #2 – You Can Enjoy Extra Vacation Time

In an open office plan with low dividers, people get in the habit of casually spying on one another. But with higher cubicle walls, you could fail to show up for days at a time with no one the wiser. Of course, you do want people to come looking for you eventually. Don’t turn into one of those news stories where no one notices a dead employee in a cubicle. Come to think of it, maybe you should share your candy more just so coworkers will care enough to notice that you’re gone…

Benefit #3 – You Can Keep Your Weirdness Under Wraps

Number 8 in the original pinned image says if you talk to yourself in a cubicle, everyone pops their head up over the wall because they assume you are talking to them. Of course, in a cubicle with walls low enough for people to see over, coworkers usually can hear you if you are talking to yourself. That’s yet one more reason to install panel extenders that help block sound. You have the privacy to carry on a conversation with yourself to your heart’s content without being rudely interrupted.

Way back in March, we took a look at some nefarious cubicle weapons and how cubicle wall extensions might help keep workers safe. Well, the cubicle arms race is far from over. More and more ingenious weapons are being invented all the time. You can check out the latest array at Arnold’s Office Furniture. The list of “Weapons of Mass Cubicle Destruction” include such childhood favorites as the popsicle stick and plastic spoon catapult. On the high tech side, there’s a smartphone guided foam missile launcher. Yes, you do need to click through and see that pricey toy to believe it! Let’s stop this senseless stockpiling of cubicle weaponry. Use cubicle panel extenders as your strategic defense initiative.

In our research into what employees need to thrive in a busy office environment, there’s one group in particular that stands out. Many soldiers re-entering the civilian workforce from active duty struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even though they have the skills and work ethic to be valuable additions to any company, the modern office environment can pose special challenges for these individuals. Some of the symptoms of PTSD that impact office workers include:

• A heightened startle response – these employees may jump or cry out if someone suddenly pops their head up over a cubicle panel to ask a question or just say hello
• Feeling unsafe – this is a particular problem if desks are facing away from doorways or cubicle openings allowing others to “sneak up” from behind
• Inability to cope with high noise levels – constant audible stimulation breaks concentration and makes focusing on assigned tasks very difficult since individuals with PTSD tend to be hyper-alert

Both coworkers and management may have a hard time understanding these responses at first. But employers have a responsibility (ethically and under the law) to accommodate employees with this disability. Sometimes, this may mean adjusting an employee’s work schedule to less crowded hours or allowing telecommuting. Or, it might mean assigning an employee a private office – or even just an empty conference room to work in. In other situations, simply making changes to existing cubicles might work just as well.

Cubicle Extenders Might Help Workers Cope

One of the most cost-effective ways to lower stress levels for employees with PTSD and increase their sense of personal security is to increase the height of their cubicle walls. There’s a big difference in privacy between a 60” high cubicle panel and one that is 72” high. That extra foot means that no one (except perhaps a pro basketball player) will be able to poke their head over the wall to chat. Cubicle panel extensions have the added benefit of reducing noise and visual distractions that may startle a worker with PTSD.

Do you have additional ideas for how to make the average workplace cubicle safer for returning warriors? Please let us know in the comments.