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Stuck in a 'Jittery Jeff' situation — poorly positioned cube is stressing me out [duplicate]
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This question already has an answer here:
Adjusting to an “open†cubicle office layout
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My company recently moved to a fancy new office space, whose aesthetic the bosses are very enamored with. Unfortunately, some elements of the space's function do not approach its aesthetic appeal: in addition to A/C that is mostly for show, the cube walls are only about 4.5 feet (~1.4 meters) high. Even better, my cube is located in a central aisle that people walk up and down all day... loudly... incessantly.
Because the walls are so low, everyone can and does stare in at me as they pass. Best of all, the cube is constructed such that I face a wall and the space behind me is completely open so I can't see anyone in that direction but everyone can see me. I have fairly severe social anxiety, and the constant human contact and attention, however momentary and incidental, is driving me up the wall. Given this, I expect my boss would be willing to re-locate me (there are tons of unoccupied cubes) except for the fact that my team is clustered together -- one of us moving would upset the gain in collaboration efficiency that was a major focus when the new space was being designed.
Is there anything I can do short of presenting my anxiety to HR as a 'special needs' case (I don't want to be the token 'special' guy)? How can I broach the subject with my bosses without sounding crazy?
offices coworking office-layout cubicles anxiety
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:46
JakeGould
6,5721739
asked Nov 23 '15 at 20:43
CCJ
1305
marked as duplicate by JB King, Dawny33, Jim G., The Wandering Dev Manager, mcknz Nov 29 '15 at 18:03
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
 |Â
show 3 more comments
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
Adjusting to an “open†cubicle office layout
3 answers
My company recently moved to a fancy new office space, whose aesthetic the bosses are very enamored with. Unfortunately, some elements of the space's function do not approach its aesthetic appeal: in addition to A/C that is mostly for show, the cube walls are only about 4.5 feet (~1.4 meters) high. Even better, my cube is located in a central aisle that people walk up and down all day... loudly... incessantly.
Because the walls are so low, everyone can and does stare in at me as they pass. Best of all, the cube is constructed such that I face a wall and the space behind me is completely open so I can't see anyone in that direction but everyone can see me. I have fairly severe social anxiety, and the constant human contact and attention, however momentary and incidental, is driving me up the wall. Given this, I expect my boss would be willing to re-locate me (there are tons of unoccupied cubes) except for the fact that my team is clustered together -- one of us moving would upset the gain in collaboration efficiency that was a major focus when the new space was being designed.
Is there anything I can do short of presenting my anxiety to HR as a 'special needs' case (I don't want to be the token 'special' guy)? How can I broach the subject with my bosses without sounding crazy?
offices coworking office-layout cubicles anxiety
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:46
JakeGould
6,5721739
asked Nov 23 '15 at 20:43
CCJ
1305
marked as duplicate by JB King, Dawny33, Jim G., The Wandering Dev Manager, mcknz Nov 29 '15 at 18:03
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
4
Simple - Tell your boss your work is impacted by the amount of sound coming from all the people walking back and forth. This is the first step - you don't need to get HR involved at all. How can a boss not cater to that? By the way I love the comic!
– JonH
Nov 23 '15 at 20:50
6
Related: Adjusting to an “open†cubicle office layout
– David K
Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
People see you. That's different from looking at you, which in turn is digferent from staring at you. Unless you're especially interesting, I really doubt anyone is paying any attention as they pass by. I understand the social anxiety, but be aware that you are overreacting.
– keshlam
Nov 23 '15 at 22:05
2
Would it help you to get one of those computer monitor "rear-view" mirrors?
– Chimera
Nov 24 '15 at 1:42
3
I've hung mirrors up, just to keep from being startled if someone walked up to ask me a question.
– Dan Shaffer
Nov 24 '15 at 20:22
 |Â
show 3 more comments
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
up vote
6
down vote
favorite
This question already has an answer here:
Adjusting to an “open†cubicle office layout
3 answers
My company recently moved to a fancy new office space, whose aesthetic the bosses are very enamored with. Unfortunately, some elements of the space's function do not approach its aesthetic appeal: in addition to A/C that is mostly for show, the cube walls are only about 4.5 feet (~1.4 meters) high. Even better, my cube is located in a central aisle that people walk up and down all day... loudly... incessantly.
Because the walls are so low, everyone can and does stare in at me as they pass. Best of all, the cube is constructed such that I face a wall and the space behind me is completely open so I can't see anyone in that direction but everyone can see me. I have fairly severe social anxiety, and the constant human contact and attention, however momentary and incidental, is driving me up the wall. Given this, I expect my boss would be willing to re-locate me (there are tons of unoccupied cubes) except for the fact that my team is clustered together -- one of us moving would upset the gain in collaboration efficiency that was a major focus when the new space was being designed.
Is there anything I can do short of presenting my anxiety to HR as a 'special needs' case (I don't want to be the token 'special' guy)? How can I broach the subject with my bosses without sounding crazy?
offices coworking office-layout cubicles anxiety
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:46
JakeGould
6,5721739
asked Nov 23 '15 at 20:43
CCJ
1305
This question already has an answer here:
Adjusting to an “open†cubicle office layout
3 answers
My company recently moved to a fancy new office space, whose aesthetic the bosses are very enamored with. Unfortunately, some elements of the space's function do not approach its aesthetic appeal: in addition to A/C that is mostly for show, the cube walls are only about 4.5 feet (~1.4 meters) high. Even better, my cube is located in a central aisle that people walk up and down all day... loudly... incessantly.
Because the walls are so low, everyone can and does stare in at me as they pass. Best of all, the cube is constructed such that I face a wall and the space behind me is completely open so I can't see anyone in that direction but everyone can see me. I have fairly severe social anxiety, and the constant human contact and attention, however momentary and incidental, is driving me up the wall. Given this, I expect my boss would be willing to re-locate me (there are tons of unoccupied cubes) except for the fact that my team is clustered together -- one of us moving would upset the gain in collaboration efficiency that was a major focus when the new space was being designed.
Is there anything I can do short of presenting my anxiety to HR as a 'special needs' case (I don't want to be the token 'special' guy)? How can I broach the subject with my bosses without sounding crazy?
This question already has an answer here:
Adjusting to an “open†cubicle office layout
3 answers
offices coworking office-layout cubicles anxiety
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:46
JakeGould
6,5721739
asked Nov 23 '15 at 20:43
CCJ
1305
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:46
JakeGould
6,5721739
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:46
JakeGould
6,5721739
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:46
JakeGould
6,5721739
6,5721739
asked Nov 23 '15 at 20:43
CCJ
1305
asked Nov 23 '15 at 20:43
CCJ
1305
asked Nov 23 '15 at 20:43
CCJ
1305
1305
marked as duplicate by JB King, Dawny33, Jim G., The Wandering Dev Manager, mcknz Nov 29 '15 at 18:03
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
marked as duplicate by JB King, Dawny33, Jim G., The Wandering Dev Manager, mcknz Nov 29 '15 at 18:03
This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.
4
Simple - Tell your boss your work is impacted by the amount of sound coming from all the people walking back and forth. This is the first step - you don't need to get HR involved at all. How can a boss not cater to that? By the way I love the comic!
– JonH
Nov 23 '15 at 20:50
6
Related: Adjusting to an “open†cubicle office layout
– David K
Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
People see you. That's different from looking at you, which in turn is digferent from staring at you. Unless you're especially interesting, I really doubt anyone is paying any attention as they pass by. I understand the social anxiety, but be aware that you are overreacting.
– keshlam
Nov 23 '15 at 22:05
2
Would it help you to get one of those computer monitor "rear-view" mirrors?
– Chimera
Nov 24 '15 at 1:42
3
I've hung mirrors up, just to keep from being startled if someone walked up to ask me a question.
– Dan Shaffer
Nov 24 '15 at 20:22
 |Â
show 3 more comments
4
Simple - Tell your boss your work is impacted by the amount of sound coming from all the people walking back and forth. This is the first step - you don't need to get HR involved at all. How can a boss not cater to that? By the way I love the comic!
– JonH
Nov 23 '15 at 20:50
6
Related: Adjusting to an “open†cubicle office layout
– David K
Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
People see you. That's different from looking at you, which in turn is digferent from staring at you. Unless you're especially interesting, I really doubt anyone is paying any attention as they pass by. I understand the social anxiety, but be aware that you are overreacting.
– keshlam
Nov 23 '15 at 22:05
2
Would it help you to get one of those computer monitor "rear-view" mirrors?
– Chimera
Nov 24 '15 at 1:42
3
I've hung mirrors up, just to keep from being startled if someone walked up to ask me a question.
– Dan Shaffer
Nov 24 '15 at 20:22
4
4
Simple - Tell your boss your work is impacted by the amount of sound coming from all the people walking back and forth. This is the first step - you don't need to get HR involved at all. How can a boss not cater to that? By the way I love the comic!
– JonH
Nov 23 '15 at 20:50
Simple - Tell your boss your work is impacted by the amount of sound coming from all the people walking back and forth. This is the first step - you don't need to get HR involved at all. How can a boss not cater to that? By the way I love the comic!
– JonH
Nov 23 '15 at 20:50
6
6
Related: Adjusting to an “open†cubicle office layout
– David K
Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
Related: Adjusting to an “open†cubicle office layout
– David K
Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
People see you. That's different from looking at you, which in turn is digferent from staring at you. Unless you're especially interesting, I really doubt anyone is paying any attention as they pass by. I understand the social anxiety, but be aware that you are overreacting.
– keshlam
Nov 23 '15 at 22:05
People see you. That's different from looking at you, which in turn is digferent from staring at you. Unless you're especially interesting, I really doubt anyone is paying any attention as they pass by. I understand the social anxiety, but be aware that you are overreacting.
– keshlam
Nov 23 '15 at 22:05
2
2
Would it help you to get one of those computer monitor "rear-view" mirrors?
– Chimera
Nov 24 '15 at 1:42
Would it help you to get one of those computer monitor "rear-view" mirrors?
– Chimera
Nov 24 '15 at 1:42
3
3
I've hung mirrors up, just to keep from being startled if someone walked up to ask me a question.
– Dan Shaffer
Nov 24 '15 at 20:22
I've hung mirrors up, just to keep from being startled if someone walked up to ask me a question.
– Dan Shaffer
Nov 24 '15 at 20:22
 |Â
show 3 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
Either move so you can sit sideways or if that's not possible. Just tell your boss that you're uncomfortable when your back is not against a wall or when you don't know what is behind you. I wouldn't escalate it more than that. It's really up to your manager to make sure you're comfortable.
Most reasonable managers will be ok with that I would think. I have much the same issue stemming from my time as a bouncer and never had a manager not come to some sort of compromise without making a big deal out of it.
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
2
I wonder if your managers might have been particularly willing to compromise because no-one wants to argue with an ex-bouncer...
– user568458
Nov 23 '15 at 22:31
@user568458 that is possible, however managers will usually do little things like that in the interests of having a happy team member. It's not a big issue to give the OP a cube facing the other way. Not worth making a 'thing' out of anyway, in my opinion.
– Kilisi
Nov 23 '15 at 22:55
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
If working with your boss doesn't pan out, and I'm hoping that it actually does, look into a privacy screen cover. It won't help with the feeling people are looking, but at least you will have the comfort that they do not see your screen.
These are clear panels that when not looking directly at the screen will be blurred. Here is an example of what such a screen looks like.
I'll admit I didn't realize how expensive they were until I looked there. But it's an option.
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:49
JakeGould
6,5721739
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:34
Bill Leeper
10.6k2735
One of my co-workers uses these; they're nice, but I'm not particularly concerned with people seeing my screen content. It's the fact that people can see me that rankles, for some reason. I'm like a cat in that way... maybe if I put up some plants and peered out from behind them I would feel better
– CCJ
Nov 23 '15 at 23:03
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
Either move so you can sit sideways or if that's not possible. Just tell your boss that you're uncomfortable when your back is not against a wall or when you don't know what is behind you. I wouldn't escalate it more than that. It's really up to your manager to make sure you're comfortable.
Most reasonable managers will be ok with that I would think. I have much the same issue stemming from my time as a bouncer and never had a manager not come to some sort of compromise without making a big deal out of it.
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
2
I wonder if your managers might have been particularly willing to compromise because no-one wants to argue with an ex-bouncer...
– user568458
Nov 23 '15 at 22:31
@user568458 that is possible, however managers will usually do little things like that in the interests of having a happy team member. It's not a big issue to give the OP a cube facing the other way. Not worth making a 'thing' out of anyway, in my opinion.
– Kilisi
Nov 23 '15 at 22:55
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Either move so you can sit sideways or if that's not possible. Just tell your boss that you're uncomfortable when your back is not against a wall or when you don't know what is behind you. I wouldn't escalate it more than that. It's really up to your manager to make sure you're comfortable.
Most reasonable managers will be ok with that I would think. I have much the same issue stemming from my time as a bouncer and never had a manager not come to some sort of compromise without making a big deal out of it.
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
2
I wonder if your managers might have been particularly willing to compromise because no-one wants to argue with an ex-bouncer...
– user568458
Nov 23 '15 at 22:31
@user568458 that is possible, however managers will usually do little things like that in the interests of having a happy team member. It's not a big issue to give the OP a cube facing the other way. Not worth making a 'thing' out of anyway, in my opinion.
– Kilisi
Nov 23 '15 at 22:55
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Either move so you can sit sideways or if that's not possible. Just tell your boss that you're uncomfortable when your back is not against a wall or when you don't know what is behind you. I wouldn't escalate it more than that. It's really up to your manager to make sure you're comfortable.
Most reasonable managers will be ok with that I would think. I have much the same issue stemming from my time as a bouncer and never had a manager not come to some sort of compromise without making a big deal out of it.
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
Either move so you can sit sideways or if that's not possible. Just tell your boss that you're uncomfortable when your back is not against a wall or when you don't know what is behind you. I wouldn't escalate it more than that. It's really up to your manager to make sure you're comfortable.
Most reasonable managers will be ok with that I would think. I have much the same issue stemming from my time as a bouncer and never had a manager not come to some sort of compromise without making a big deal out of it.
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
94.7k50216376
2
I wonder if your managers might have been particularly willing to compromise because no-one wants to argue with an ex-bouncer...
– user568458
Nov 23 '15 at 22:31
@user568458 that is possible, however managers will usually do little things like that in the interests of having a happy team member. It's not a big issue to give the OP a cube facing the other way. Not worth making a 'thing' out of anyway, in my opinion.
– Kilisi
Nov 23 '15 at 22:55
suggest improvements |Â
2
I wonder if your managers might have been particularly willing to compromise because no-one wants to argue with an ex-bouncer...
– user568458
Nov 23 '15 at 22:31
@user568458 that is possible, however managers will usually do little things like that in the interests of having a happy team member. It's not a big issue to give the OP a cube facing the other way. Not worth making a 'thing' out of anyway, in my opinion.
– Kilisi
Nov 23 '15 at 22:55
2
2
I wonder if your managers might have been particularly willing to compromise because no-one wants to argue with an ex-bouncer...
– user568458
Nov 23 '15 at 22:31
I wonder if your managers might have been particularly willing to compromise because no-one wants to argue with an ex-bouncer...
– user568458
Nov 23 '15 at 22:31
@user568458 that is possible, however managers will usually do little things like that in the interests of having a happy team member. It's not a big issue to give the OP a cube facing the other way. Not worth making a 'thing' out of anyway, in my opinion.
– Kilisi
Nov 23 '15 at 22:55
@user568458 that is possible, however managers will usually do little things like that in the interests of having a happy team member. It's not a big issue to give the OP a cube facing the other way. Not worth making a 'thing' out of anyway, in my opinion.
– Kilisi
Nov 23 '15 at 22:55
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
If working with your boss doesn't pan out, and I'm hoping that it actually does, look into a privacy screen cover. It won't help with the feeling people are looking, but at least you will have the comfort that they do not see your screen.
These are clear panels that when not looking directly at the screen will be blurred. Here is an example of what such a screen looks like.
I'll admit I didn't realize how expensive they were until I looked there. But it's an option.
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:49
JakeGould
6,5721739
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:34
Bill Leeper
10.6k2735
One of my co-workers uses these; they're nice, but I'm not particularly concerned with people seeing my screen content. It's the fact that people can see me that rankles, for some reason. I'm like a cat in that way... maybe if I put up some plants and peered out from behind them I would feel better
– CCJ
Nov 23 '15 at 23:03
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
If working with your boss doesn't pan out, and I'm hoping that it actually does, look into a privacy screen cover. It won't help with the feeling people are looking, but at least you will have the comfort that they do not see your screen.
These are clear panels that when not looking directly at the screen will be blurred. Here is an example of what such a screen looks like.
I'll admit I didn't realize how expensive they were until I looked there. But it's an option.
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:49
JakeGould
6,5721739
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:34
Bill Leeper
10.6k2735
One of my co-workers uses these; they're nice, but I'm not particularly concerned with people seeing my screen content. It's the fact that people can see me that rankles, for some reason. I'm like a cat in that way... maybe if I put up some plants and peered out from behind them I would feel better
– CCJ
Nov 23 '15 at 23:03
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
If working with your boss doesn't pan out, and I'm hoping that it actually does, look into a privacy screen cover. It won't help with the feeling people are looking, but at least you will have the comfort that they do not see your screen.
These are clear panels that when not looking directly at the screen will be blurred. Here is an example of what such a screen looks like.
I'll admit I didn't realize how expensive they were until I looked there. But it's an option.
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:49
JakeGould
6,5721739
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:34
Bill Leeper
10.6k2735
If working with your boss doesn't pan out, and I'm hoping that it actually does, look into a privacy screen cover. It won't help with the feeling people are looking, but at least you will have the comfort that they do not see your screen.
These are clear panels that when not looking directly at the screen will be blurred. Here is an example of what such a screen looks like.
I'll admit I didn't realize how expensive they were until I looked there. But it's an option.
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:49
JakeGould
6,5721739
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:34
Bill Leeper
10.6k2735
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:49
JakeGould
6,5721739
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:49
JakeGould
6,5721739
edited Nov 23 '15 at 21:49
JakeGould
6,5721739
6,5721739
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:34
Bill Leeper
10.6k2735
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:34
Bill Leeper
10.6k2735
answered Nov 23 '15 at 21:34
Bill Leeper
10.6k2735
10.6k2735
One of my co-workers uses these; they're nice, but I'm not particularly concerned with people seeing my screen content. It's the fact that people can see me that rankles, for some reason. I'm like a cat in that way... maybe if I put up some plants and peered out from behind them I would feel better
– CCJ
Nov 23 '15 at 23:03
suggest improvements |Â
One of my co-workers uses these; they're nice, but I'm not particularly concerned with people seeing my screen content. It's the fact that people can see me that rankles, for some reason. I'm like a cat in that way... maybe if I put up some plants and peered out from behind them I would feel better
– CCJ
Nov 23 '15 at 23:03
One of my co-workers uses these; they're nice, but I'm not particularly concerned with people seeing my screen content. It's the fact that people can see me that rankles, for some reason. I'm like a cat in that way... maybe if I put up some plants and peered out from behind them I would feel better
– CCJ
Nov 23 '15 at 23:03
One of my co-workers uses these; they're nice, but I'm not particularly concerned with people seeing my screen content. It's the fact that people can see me that rankles, for some reason. I'm like a cat in that way... maybe if I put up some plants and peered out from behind them I would feel better
– CCJ
Nov 23 '15 at 23:03
suggest improvements |Â
4
Simple - Tell your boss your work is impacted by the amount of sound coming from all the people walking back and forth. This is the first step - you don't need to get HR involved at all. How can a boss not cater to that? By the way I love the comic!
– JonH
Nov 23 '15 at 20:50
6
Related: Adjusting to an “open†cubicle office layout
– David K
Nov 23 '15 at 21:28
People see you. That's different from looking at you, which in turn is digferent from staring at you. Unless you're especially interesting, I really doubt anyone is paying any attention as they pass by. I understand the social anxiety, but be aware that you are overreacting.
– keshlam
Nov 23 '15 at 22:05
2
Would it help you to get one of those computer monitor "rear-view" mirrors?
– Chimera
Nov 24 '15 at 1:42
3
I've hung mirrors up, just to keep from being startled if someone walked up to ask me a question.
– Dan Shaffer
Nov 24 '15 at 20:22