Respecting Colleagues Privacy

Respecting Colleagues Privacy






Cubicle walls rarely reach more than five or six feet high so sound travels easily over the top. If someone in a cubicle near you asks his or her neighbor a question, resist the urge to call out the answer. Use selective hearing to tune people out so you are not listening if you haven’t been invited to participate in the conversation. Eavesdropping is a two-way street. Your co-workers are less likely to listen to your conversations if they know you respect their privacy and don’t listen to theirs.

Don’t assume a colleague isn’t busy just because they’re not on the phone or typing on their computer. They may be thinking about solutions to a problem or engaging in creative thought. Thinking is a necessary part of the work environment. If your colleague is not acknowledging your presence, he likely does not want to be interrupted.

Do not interrupt two co-workers who are engaged in a conversation. Do not interrupt if someone is writing, reading email, typing or deep in thought. Walk away and wait for a better time. Set appointments with your cubicle neighbors to ask questions or discuss ideas. This shows them that you honor their time and workload.