Work cubicles are a late 21st century invention. It was cartoonist Dilbert who thought of it as having auspicious potential that can save office space and, perhaps, help in productivity. Or will it? Yet, despite the brewing debate on the practicability of cubicle work stations, looks like this invention is here to stay even with the increasing trend of home-based jobs and freelance work.

The work cubicle has become the standard office setup, even for executives, today. Those who are "living" in cubicle work stations know too well, though, the issues besetting them everyday. One of the most common complaints among employees is this: "My cubicle at work is too open it is a venue for distractions." Evidently, all inventions have benefits and downsides. Take a look at these advantages and disadvantages of the cubicle work station setup.

Work cubicles proponents say these are the benefits of cubicle work stations:

• Provide a certain level of privacy among cubicle dwellers
• More economical by providing more work spaces
• Facilitates easier communication between employees and departments
• Saves time, too, because all members of the team are in one area
• This setup is easy for team leads to track each team member
• Likewise, team leads and other executives are easily accessible to the rank-and-file saving everyone the frustration and time

Meanwhile, like all other inventions, the work cubicle has its downsides:

• These cubicle work stations are not soundproof that even a normal or phone conversation can be overheard in the next cubicle.
  
  Solution: Mind your work cubicle etiquette. Keep your voices low and noise to a minimum. Even snacking has to be done at the office pantry unless you want to invite colleagues to snack in with you.
  
  
• On the contrary, employees who work in cubicle can easily get distracted by passers-by who get inside the work cubicle for a little chat
  
  Solution:Knock work cubicle walls and say "excuse me" then wait for a nod, before getting inside. Make sure your interruption is for something important and work-related if it's not yet break time.
  
  
• Privacy is a major concern especially if your back is facing the cubicle's entrance. You can't easily open email attachments without being concerned about who's watching your back or if someone is sneaking up on you.
  
  Solution:Keep personal emails and other personal activities at home, as you can't tell who will get offended on sexual, religious, racial, moral, or cultural grounds if they see detestable content.

Research indicates that the cubed environment puts a restriction on creativity as well. Although creativity works well in an outdoor environment, with fresh air and open space, and since this is not always feasible, you can prop up your cubicle at work by rearranging your stuff or putting decors on your cubicle walls to cure drabness.

The work cubicle configuration is far from being perfect and it might nearly qualify as one of the inventions people will soon want to make obsolete, it looks like office employees will have to contend with it for now. For its downsides, humans as we are, finding solution to maximize its potential seems a temporary solution.