Question about office etiquette.

[RandySF]

My new job unexpectedly came with my own office after years of working in a cubicle and, since everyone keeps their doors open, I do the same. However, it looks like that open door policy includes walking into my office unannounced while I'm engrossed in my work. I don't want to ruffle feathers but I also wish people would respect my space enough to at least knock on the doorway before invading barging in.Have you encountered this If so, how did you deal with it?

[struggle4progress]

1. I'd keep my door 4/5 of the way closed

[OrwellwasRight]

3. Good recommendation.

I've also found that sometimes if you are the first to close the door, other people follow along quickly, happy that you led the charge.

Or you can keep closed only when you need to hunker down and concentrate but keep it open at other times, say when you are calculating your expenses or deleting old emails or something less important. People will quickly get the message and wait till the door is open. That's what I do.

[pfitz59]

2. "open Door" policy does not mean "open Door"

Close the door and ask them to knock, IM, call or text before entering.

[Fla Dem]

4. I know to be interrupted can be annoying, but you did say the office was unexpected.

Last edited Mon Jan 9, 2017, 03:58 PM - Edit history (1)

So do you think your office now conveys special treatment that you would not otherwise have in a cubicle? How did people approach you when you were just another cubicle denizen? Did they just come by and sit down, or did they ask if you were busy before engaging you in a conversation? If so, why should that behavior change just because you now have an office?

If your new job is managerial and these former cubicle co-workers are now your subordinates, it would be appropriate for them to ask if you have a minute. You are the one that needs to set the new etiquette.

But if you just earned a higher level position with no supervisory/managerial responsibilities, and these are your friends and co-workers who freely dropped by your cubicle before, I see no reason why they or you should expect that level of comradery to change just because you now are in an office. If you decide their behavior should change and they be more differential to your time and space, then don't expect your relationship with them to remain the same.

[RandySF]

12. We all have offices at this site.

It's a new location with a new set of coworkers and I am not used to having so much space. At my old job, people would stand outside our cubicle thresholds and knock if we seemed distracted. At the new site, everyone just walks in and right up to my while I am focused on the screen.

[Fla Dem]

14. OK, so totally different environment.

Tough to say what you should. I worked for a long time in an office environment, had an office. Never closed my door unless I was in a meeting or important phone call. Staff, those reporting to me and others from outside our division, would generally just stop by the door and say something like; "got a minute".

Unless I was up against a deadline I would usually say sure. Had a few long winded associates, and when the visit began to drag on, I would politely say, "Hey John, I've got this report I have to finish up, can we finish our discussion later".

Closing your door, especially where you're the new kid on the block, I think would send the wrong message. That you're unapproachable and don't want to be part of the team. Maybe they're just trying to get to know you and make you feel welcome. Once you fit in, the "drop-ins" may begin to subside. Try keeping the visits friendly but short.

[Wounded Bear]

5. I think you leave it open, except...

when you are meeting with someone or on the phone in what might be considered a "confidential" exchange.

[ailsagirl]

6. This may help

http://www.askamanager.org/2016/10/whats-the-etiquette-for-closing-your-office-door.html

[NightWatcher]

7. Put a sign on the closed door that says "Please knock. Nekkid Tele-conference Underway"

[mopinko]

8. anything noisy nearby?

oh, sorry, the sound from the elevator is driving me crazy.

[Major Nikon]

9. Work in your underwear. Problem solved.

In the off chance that doesn't work, remove underwear.

[HeartachesNhangovers]

10. Where I worked for 26 years, only managers and

above could close their doors without raising suspicion - meaning that people would assume you were anti-social or sleeping or worse. I had an office for almost all that time and only closed my door if I had to change into or out of a suit, or if I was meeting with someone about a sensitive issue (I was a union rep for many years).

If you are a new employee and want to keep your job, you want to fit in, not stand out (in a negative way). The first time your manager has to knock on your door because you have it closed, they are going to start to wonder if you are going to become a problem.

[cbdo2007]

11. Door open most of the time...door closed if you really need no distractions.

Obviously if you have a meeting or are on the phone, close the door. Otherwise you should leave it open the majority of the day so that you are available and give off the perception f being a team player. That being said, I don't think it would be unreasonable for you to block 1-2 hours per day off on your calendar where you close the door and focus on getting specific things done.

I'm a cubicle manager so I definitely understand constant interruptions and how distracting they can be and I long for the days of having a cubicle that is not intermingled with the rest of the group (or an office). On the other hand, my boss has an office and I know that if the door is open and she isn't on the phone, we are welcome to stop by with questions though I always knock first to be polite. If it is really just about the knocking, close door part way like others have mentioned.

[Thor_MN]

13. My company went to "Open Workspace"

I have a 52" long desk and 40 or more people within eyesight. The additional plus is being right next to open "collaboration areas" where groups of people overflow out of them to hold meetings. I often have people standing within feet of me, talking to be heard by a gaggle of 15 people.

The air handling system pumps in white noise at about 67 decibels, approaching noisy restaurant levels. The new kids seem to like programing in groups, but I'm more "STFU, so I can think!"

[a la izquierda]

15. My door is open most of the time...

during office hours or if I can be disturbed. Most of my colleagues are like this. If I don't want to really be disturbed, I close it all the way. If it's noisy, I'll close it most of the way or put up a sign that says "I'm in, just knock."

However, I don't have colleagues or students just rolling in my office.