Cubicles

Here are the questions filed under this category. To read Ken's advice on any item, click on the link "Read Ken's Answer."

	My manager just told me that my office is needed for a new manager who will be starting at the first of the year. I am moving to a workstation, which is just a fancy word for a cubicle. Although my work and title will not change, I see this as a demotion. What should I do? Read Ken's Answer
	I recently moved an employee from a workstation to an office, and to my great surprise, he put pictures of his dog all over the walls. He had a couple of these photos on his desk in the workstation, but this is way beyond that. I don't want to make a big issue out of this, but some of these need to come down. How should I approach him? Read Ken's Answer
	Someone left a mean anonymous note on my desk saying that I talk too loud on the phone. We work in cubicles, and I admit that my voice carries, but that's how I talk. Being on the phone is central to my job, and I am successful at it. I'd like to know who wrote the note, but in the meantime, what do you suggest I do? Read Ken's Answer
	We work in an open office area and generally conduct our work within earshot of each other. After a recent meeting with a customer, the representative who works at the desk next to mine told me that my customer relations skills need work. Then she mentioned at least ten things that I did incorrectly. I told her I didn't agree with anything she said, and now she doesn't talk to me. How do I straighten this out? Read Ken's Answer
	We have an open work area, and whenever I walk by one particular employee's workstation, he quickly exits whatever web site he is visiting. I don't want to treat him like a baby, but I am concerned about what appears to be going on. What do you suggest? Read Ken's Answer
	During my performance review today, my manager told me that I don't have much "cubicle etiquette." I told her I had never heard that expression before. She said something about my being too noisy and distracting employees in the cubicles around me. I don't think I'm that noisy. I don't know what to do with what she said. Any ideas? Read Ken's Answer
	The woman in the cubicle next to mine is eavesdropping on my conversations and phone calls, and I do not like this. I told her that she should pay more attention to her own business, but she is still listening in. How can I deal with her? Read Ken's Answer
	I like stuffed toy rabbits, and I have several in my cubicle. My manager recently told me that some of them have to go, but I don’t think this is fair. Our company policy says it is okay to personalize our work areas as long as we use good business sense. How can I convince my manager that my rabbits are not a problem? Read Ken's Answer