Avoiding Conflicts at Work: How to Share Office Workspace
by Laurie Wilhelm
Workplaces today have fewer and few offices and more and more cubicles. Common courtesy isn’t always so common but it’s essential if we want to create cooperative working environments. When we’re not being aware of those around us, we may unintentionally behave in ways that annoy others and cause friction – and be seen as one of “those” people who cannot get along with anyone. If we are maintaining good working relationships, it’s important to take into consideration how to interact when we share workspace.
Consider the following points and be the office example and not the office irritation.
Keep your voice down when talking on the phone
Hearing someone speak loudly when on the phone is not a rare occurrence. While the speaker doesn’t notice it, everyone around him does. It’s distracting and annoying listening to someone’s conversation – and it’s embarrassing if the call is particularly personal.
If you’re not sure if you’re one of the offensively loud phone talkers, check with your colleagues who share the same space. Ask them to let you know when your voice gets to a volume that is distracting and interrupts their work.
Turn down the ringer on your phone and cell phone
If you’re not at your desk to answer your phone on the second ring, then your colleagues have to listen to it until the voicemail system picks up. Same goes for your cell phone. Turn down your phone’s ring volume and set your cell to vibrate.
Keep the scent down
Perfumes and colognes can be breath-taking – and not in a good way. Mild scents tend to be fine, but keep the dose down so there’s not a fragrance trail behind you. Remember, one person’s bouquet of flowers is another person’s handful of weeds.
Respect the Space of Others
Just because you’re sharing an open space doesn’t mean there aren’t invisible boundaries around everyone’s work station. Like personal space, everyone has workspace that is “theirs” and should be respected. Even if that means keeping by the “entrance” of their cubicle instead of hovering over them or leaning against their desk.
If you stop by your colleague’s cubicle and they start rolling in their chair away from you, you’re probably too close. Give people their space so they’re comfortable and can focus on the conversation and not on how to get away from you.
Being able to share workspace without annoying others is actually quite easy. It’s a matter of treating others with consideration and respect and being aware of behaviours that may be intrusive and irritating.
