Cubicle Dos and Don'ts

More and more businesses are housing workers in cubicles rather than in offices. Companies use cubicles to save space and encour­age team building and collaboration among workers. But there are drawbacks to cubicles. Some workers complain that cubicles are louder and less private than offices. Since it is likely that you will work in a cubicle at some point in your career, it is a good idea to learn proper protocol for cubicle success. Here are some cubicle dos and don'ts from the editors of the CAM Report (who have all worked in cubicles at some point during their careers):

Do

•  Ask permission to enter a coworkers cubicle. Ask to be invit­ed in or knock if the cubicle is tall.

• Use your "library voice" when talking on the phone or with coworkers.

• Set the volume on your phone ringer to low if you plan to leave your cubicle for an extended period of time.

• Try to answer the phone after a short number of rings; a loud, unanswered phone can be extremely irritating to your coworkers.
• Take your cell phone with you when you leave your cubicle.

• Set the volume on your computer to low.

• Avoid using too much perfume or cologne.

• Keep your cubicle clean and orderly.

• Be careful of potentially offensive food smells.

Don't

• Talk to coworkers through cubicle walls and resist the urge to answer questions that you overhear, but that are not addressed to you.
• Discuss personal matters in your cubicle.
• Use the speakerphone feature on your phone.
• Peer over short walls of cubicles or through entryways at cubicle occupants as you pass in the hallway.
• Loiter outside coworkers' cubicles when having a conversa­tion in the hallway.
• Wait outside a coworkers cubicle for him or her to complete a phone call or finish a conversation with a coworker. Come back later.
• Play music loudly. Use headphones instead.

If you have trouble concentrating in your cubicle, see if there is another place, such as an unused meeting room or a corporate library, where you can go temporarily to improve your focus."When I'm on a tight deadline and my cubicle mates got too loud," says George Sell, an advertising copywriter, "I head to one of our company's meeting rooms to work for a few hours. It really helps me focus and allows me to get my work done." If using an alternate work area, be sure to post a note on your cubicle "door" or tell your supervisor where you will be in case you need to be reached.

Federal Emergency Money Available

HYANNIS - The federal government's Emergency Food and Shelter Program has $154,637 available for Barnstable County nonprofit agencies.

The money will be distributed to agencies capable of providing food and shelter services in the county, according to a press release from the Salvation Army, which manages the local distribution of the money.

Eligible nonprofits must have a 501(c)3 nonprofit rating, an accounting system that includes annual audits, a policy of nondiscrimination and a volunteer board of directors. Agencies interested in applying should contact Major Donna Hansen at 508-775-0364. The deadline for submitting applications is Feb. 19.

By: PATRICK CASSIDY
Cape Cod Times
February 4th 2009

Workforce Training Fund WTF 

The state's Workforce Training Fund (WTF) will be accepting applications on March 2nd, 2009. There is a limited amount of funding available so any business that received a grant in the past 5 years can not apply in this round. We have also been told that the program is looking to fund more "hard" skill type training in this round. Anyone interested in the WTF can contact David.

Upcoming Meetings

• YC Executive Committee Meeting: Tuesday March 10th 9:00am WIB Office
• WIB Executive Committee Meeting: Thursday March 12th 8:00am WIB Office
• SMHP Meeting: Monday March 23rd 3:00pm WIB Office
• Youth Council and Graduation Rate Meeting: Tuesday March 31st 12:00pm WIB Office