by Todd Pheifer

Created on: June 23, 2010

The office cubicle has become a standard way to configure a workspace in such a way that each employee has their own vocational domain.  Organizations will often separate their employees into different parts of the office so that people can do their work.  In addition, cubicles are more affordable than constructing individual offices for every employee in the workspace.   While some people do not love the confines of the cubicle, there are some definite benefits.  Here are a few thoughts on why the office cubicle is effective in many organizations today.

Flexible spaces

The configuration of an office can be very important in terms of overall effectiveness and general efficiency.  Cubicles give the company some amount of flexibility to put people and resources in the right place.  Granted, there are only so many combinations that can be created, particularly in a small office environment.  In addition, cubicles cannot make people perform in a certain way, even if the space has been designed with a particular atmosphere in mind.  

An extended tryout

The cubicle also gives the company an opportunity to judge the effectiveness of an employee before they give that person the privacy and authority attached to having an office.  In essence, the cubible is a sort of extended tryout for more important positions in the future.  Some companies are hesitant to give a new person an office before they prove their worth.  Therefore, the cubicle gives people an incentive to work hard and earn an office.  

A personal kingdom

While the cubicle may not have the same prestige as an office, it does give people a space that they can call their own.  Some companies may restrict the type of decorations that can go in a cubicle, but typically there is some amount of personalization that is allowed.  People may put up pictures, posters, and other pieces of decor that express their personality.  Despite the limits of a cubicle, there can be a certain amount of pride attached to having an individual space.  

Privacy, but not too much privacy

Finally, the cubicle does afford people with a certain amount and privacy.  Granted, companies are not necessarily concerned with creating a lot of privacy for their employees, particularly if it is not necessary for their job.  In many ways the cubicle gives people a measure of privacy, but the space is still open.  This means that the company can still monitor what is going on so that employees do not abuse their freedom too much.  This is why companies use of the cubicle has become so common in today's workplace.

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