NYC health workers told what to eat, wear in cubicle area

From fried food to hanging pictures and eavesdropping, employees in New York City are being told what is acceptable behaviour in the cubicle area.

As the city's health department begins to move offices from Manhattan to Queens, workers received a set of guidelines for "Life in the Cubicle Village."

That list asks employees to not wear "noticeable odours", hang displays or personal items that my be offensive and avoid eavesdropping. Although it says if eavesdropping cannot be avoided then employee should refrain from adding his or her own comments.

"I thought it was kind of ridiculous," said one health department worker in a Daily News article. "Though I'm sure the people who do have those kind of problems are grateful."

The guidelines also go into great detail about what can and cannot be served at work lunches. Tap water must be served and other beverages must be less than 25 calories per eight ounces of liquid. Employees should order mini sizes or cut muffins and bagels into halves or quarters and offer "thinly sliced, whole-grain bread."

"The health department is leading by example by updating its guidelines for food and beverages served at agency meetings and events," said spokeswoman Erin Brady in the article.

Deep-fried foods cannot be served and popcorn can only be served if it was popped at the party and "served in brown paper lunch bags". Cookies are not allowed to be served when cake is offered.

The NYC Health Department is the same department that introduced calorie-counting menus and got rid of smoking on beaches and in parks.