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The Office Cubicle

The office cubicle, an individual work space partially enclosed by partitions, is a common feature of offices these days. It is usually five to six feet high and contains a desk or work surface area, one or more drawers for office supplies, a file drawer, an overhead bin or shelves, and other selected features. These features are usually attached to or suspended from the partitions forming the cubicle. One side of the cubicle is left partially or entirely open to allow access. A cubicle many also have its own electrical wiring, outlets, and telephone jack. The office cubicle, like the old carrel desk often used in libraries, grants a degree of privacy to the user while taking up the least amount of space in a room.

Installation is generally done by professionals, especially initially. Some cubicle systems allow changes in configuration to be done easily by users without special training. Cubicles comprise a highly flexible system that can be configured to meet both individual and group needs. Within the individual cubicle, many elements, such as overhead shelves and bins, file drawers, and surface work space, can be added or removed at will with standard hardware or system-specific fasteners to meet the individual user’s needs. This is reminiscent of the modular concept in office design that evolved in the mid 20th century.

The office cubicle first appeared in the 1960s. Where did it come from? Some sources attribute its inception to Intel, Inc., a computer chip manufacturer. Others say it was invented by Robert Propst, an employee of Herman Miller, Inc., a major manufacturer of office furniture.

Some people humorously call an office filled with cubicles a “cube farm.” Although humorous, the term also has negative connotations. Cube farms are common at hi-tech companies, but they also crop up in the insurance industry, service-related fields, and many other businesses. Many cube farms were built during the “dot.com” boom. What are the advantages and disadvantages of office cubicles for a company and for the employees who have to use them?