Coworking Etiquette: Unwritten Rules of Behaviour in Coworking Areas

As remote work becomes increasingly popular, shared spaces offer effective solutions for many professionals. Observing proper coworking space etiquette is essential in such environments, ensuring a conducive atmosphere for all.

It’s crucial to prioritize proper etiquette in coworking spaces to ensure a productive, friendly, and healthy environment. Take a look at the following etiquette guidelines to implement in your workspace.

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• Greet Others Warmly

Don’t forget to say hello to everyone with a smile. Greeting others is surprisingly important. Simple gestures like saying hello and a warm smile can significantly contribute to a welcoming environment and a positive atmosphere. You don’t need to engage in lengthy conversations with everyone, but acknowledging people as you pass by indicates that you’re friendly and approachable. This is particularly crucial in a collaborative setting where social interactions and networking are highly valued.

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• Honor Personal Space

Respecting the shared environment in a coworking space is essential. Whether using dedicated desks or common area facilities, being mindful of your surroundings is crucial for maintaining a welcoming and productive atmosphere. Since the space is not exclusively yours, avoid leaving personal items scattered around, clean up after yourself, and dispose of waste properly. 

Additionally, it’s important not to occupy someone else’s desk or encroach on others’ spaces with your belongings. Shared amenities like printers, copiers, phone booths, meeting rooms, and coffee machines should be used considerately, ensuring you don’t monopolize them. If issues arise, such as a paper shortage or a printer jam, promptly inform the on-site staff. By following these guidelines, you help create a collaborative and comfortable workspace for everyone.

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• Maintain Low Noise Levels

Maintaining a low noise level is vital in coworking spaces to ensure a productive environment for everyone. While the quiet policy isn’t as strict as in libraries, it’s important to minimize disruptions. Casual and personal conversations should be taken outside of common work areas. 

Utilize phone booths for calls and meeting rooms for conference calls. For socializing, breakout areas are ideal. If you enjoy listening to music or podcasts while working, use headphones to avoid disturbing others. By keeping conversations low, using designated areas for calls, and listening to media privately, you help create a focused and efficient workspace for all members.

• Keep Areas Clean and Organized

Maintaining a clean workspace has always been a good practice. It’s important to keep your desk not only organized by clearing away coffee cups, papers, and personal items but also sanitized regularly. Given that your desk is where you’ll spend most of your time, incorporating disinfection into your daily routine is essential. This could be done at the beginning or end of your workday to ensure a fresh and clean start.

The same level of care should extend to common areas like kitchens and bathrooms. While most coworking spaces employ cleaning staff to uphold sanitary conditions, it’s still vital for everyone to contribute by leaving these shared spaces as they found them. By doing your part in maintaining a tidy and hygienic environment, you help create a healthier workspace for all.

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• Remain Home if Feeling Sick

One of the most important rules of coworking etiquette is to stay home if you’re feeling unwell. Regardless of whether your symptoms are mild or severe, it’s essential to avoid risking the health of your coworkers by working from home. If you start feeling sick while at work, it’s best to leave immediately. Additionally, inform your employer about your condition so they can monitor any interactions you’ve had with others.

This practice of staying home when sick demonstrates true consideration for others. Whether it’s symptoms of a common cold or any other potentially infectious illness, prevention is key to maintaining a healthy work environment. Adhering to these well-known codes of conduct helps create a stimulating workspace where focused work, brainstorming, networking, and more can thrive.

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• Adhere to Meeting Room Etiquette

Adhering to meeting room schedules is a key aspect of good coworking space etiquette. Always book meeting rooms in advance and limit your usage to the reserved time. This ensures that everyone can access the facilities and respects others’ schedules. Be sure to vacate conference rooms on time to avoid disrupting other users. 

Additionally, if you no longer need a reservation, cancel it promptly so the time slot becomes available for others. Finally, always leave the room in the same condition you found it, maintaining a clean and organized space for the next user.

• Network Respectfully Without Interruptions

Networking in coworking spaces offers many benefits, but it’s crucial to observe shared office space etiquette in this regard. While connecting with like-minded professionals is valuable, it’s essential to do so without disturbing others. Recognize that not everyone may be receptive to spontaneous interactions, so be mindful and find appropriate times to engage.

Coworking spaces provide an excellent opportunity to meet new people and foster connections, but it’s essential to remember that members primarily use these spaces to focus and accomplish their tasks. Therefore, it’s vital to gauge the atmosphere and avoid interrupting or disrupting someone’s workflow when they’re engrossed in their work.

While collaborative spaces encourage interaction, it’s essential to acknowledge that not everyone may be seeking collaboration at all times. While networking and interactions are encouraged, they can be more appropriately conducted in designated breakout areas or during events organized specifically for that purpose.

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• Avoid Holding Meetings at Desks

To minimize disruptions to nearby coworkers, it’s advisable to relocate to a meeting room or a less crowded area when engaging in discussions with colleagues. To ensure respect for their need for focus, both formal and personal discussions are best suited for areas outside the main workspace. Utilize phone booths for private calls and meeting rooms for group discussions, reserving breakout areas for social interactions.

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• Engage in Community Activities

Coworking spaces foster more than just work; they cultivate a sense of community. If you’re open to it, engage in events, social gatherings, or networking opportunities. Nonetheless, always be considerate of others’ preferences and respect their decision if they choose not to participate.

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• Abide by Community Guidelines

Each coworking venue operates with its unique set of guidelines, often tailored to uphold a conducive and harmonious environment for all occupants. Familiarize yourself with designated operating times and adhere to any other regulations, as they are designed to sustain a productive and welcoming atmosphere for every member.

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• Use Services and Amenities Responsibly

When utilizing shared office resources like printers, coffee machines, and kitchen facilities, always uphold proper etiquette. Avoid monopolizing these amenities and ensure they are left clean and prepared for the next user.

Overstepping boundaries within a workspace can lead to additional issues and distractions for fellow members. This includes overbooking conference rooms, depleting all the paper in the copy machine, and encroaching on spaces designated for others.

Adhere to etiquette guidelines by utilizing only your allocated space, booking the conference room for the necessary duration, and respecting the boundaries of others’ assigned areas. If your workspace feels inadequate, seek out alternative quiet study areas or phone booths to work without causing disruptions.

Regardless of whether you’re working remotely or in a bustling coworking hub, respect and courtesy are fundamental to fostering a positive environment. Alternatively, private offices provide similar advantages with added privacy. Adhering to these guidelines can promote a collaborative and productive workspace.

Coworking spaces facilitate efficient work and opportunities for social interaction among individuals from various companies, each pursuing their unique objectives. However, with this flexibility comes the responsibility to maintain cleanliness, safety, and overall health in the workspace, fostering a conducive environment for all occupants.