Coworking spaces have their own personality and do not usually have many rules. However, they are a much nicer place to work when everyone meets certain community standards.
The coworking etiquette is not something that most of us have been taught. The golden rule is to be attentive and respectful. Think about how your actions will make others feel. We present some universal guidelines on what a coworker should and should not do.
1. Control your noise level.
It is clear that a coworking space will not be as quiet as a private office, since you will always be surrounded by people. You have to learn to isolate yourself from distractions, for example listening to white noise or your favorite music. However, every coworker must control their noise level so as not to disturb others. When you need to make a call, go to an isolated room. If you are talking to someone, lower your voice or do it in a cafeteria. If everyone tries not to do much noise in common work areas, the space will be more comfortable to work.
2. Use the common spaces with respect.
Remember that in a coworking you are never alone and you must respect the space of others. Everyone has the right to use shared services such as photocopiers, printers and meeting rooms. If you need to print 200 pages, ask others if they need to use the printer first. Do not change the heating or air conditioning settings without consulting with other coworkers. Leave the space as you find it. If you don't want to delay your classmates' plans, remember that time management is crucial when booking a meeting room in a shared workspace. Pay special attention to the kitchen, as it is one of the most popular areas in each coworking and source of the worst violations of the rules of etiquette. Wash your dirty dishes after eating and clean the table, leave the fridge organized and avoid food that smells strong.
3. Be social at the right times.
Coworkings are designed to promote networking and community relations. Being friendly is essential, so you can expand your network of contacts and find opportunities for new collaborations. You must be open to new projects and participate in events, talks and workshops organized in your space. However, everyone sometimes needs a moment to focus on their work. Let your classmates know what your focus moments are, during which you are not available for talks and jokes, and respect those of others.
4. Take care of sustainability.
When you can, try to save. Both coworking managers and the environment will thank you. When you leave, turn off the light on your desk or in a room. When you are not using your equipment, turn them off. Reduce paper consumption: think about how you could use the files without printing them. If you have some pages printed, reuse them as drafts.
5. Before asking questions try to solve it alone.
Before disturbing someone try to solve things on your own. If you have a question or question, first look for the answer on the internet or around you. It is very likely that the Wi-Fi password is written on a wall or that the instructions for using the printer are on the first page of Google.
As you can see, being a courteous coworker is not difficult. You need only a small conscious effort to make your coworking space a pleasant place for everyone who uses it.
We leave you a downloadable template in case you want to print and place these rules in your Coworking.
You can even edit using the EDIT tool
