10 Must-Know Etiquette Tips for Coworking Spaces
By: Diana Adjaj
Someone had a great idea. And that idea has turned into an industry with amazing benefits to freelancers, digital nomads, and solopreneurs. It’s called co-working. Now all over the planet, coworking spaces are popping up to serve the needs of this segment of the workforce.
The benefits are many. No more isolation in hotel rooms or noisy Internet cafes; no more looking for equipment, supplies, conference rooms, reliable connections, and more. Coworking spaces meet all of these needs, as well as offer a professional and social environment.
But as always – when humans share a space, there are certain rules of etiquette that must be followed for the good of everyone. How many of you remember college dormitories with that one roommate who blasted his music or what about the ones who never cleaned out the microwave or took out the trash? You get the point.
So, here are some etiquette rules that will make you a welcome remote worker in a coworking space:
1. Headphones please
Your neighbors aren’t interested in the podcast you are listening to or your favorite music while they work. Using your speaker phone means you go out of common working areas. Use common sense here. If it might disturb others, it shouldn’t be done. Most coworking spaces have “phone booths” – little cubbies for phone conversations.
2. Get to know other coworkers
Take the initiative to introduce yourself, especially if there is not a community manager on tap. Newbies need to feel welcome. And if you are the newbie, go ahead and start meeting people. The good thing about community managers is that they know who is there, can introduce a newcomer and put them in immediate touch with those who are in the same or related niches. But in the absence of such a person, it’s up to you. You simply never know where relationships may take you – perhaps someone who is even interested enough in your startup to become a co-founder.
3. Clean up after yourself
So, you probably grew up in a household. And you shared living space in college, whether a dorm or an apartment. How irritating was it when someone else used all of the toilet paper and didn’t replace it? How irritating was it to find “mystery food” in the fridge that had obviously been there since the Middle Ages? How irritating was it to find a filthy microwave or food splatters on the counter tops or a sticky spill on the floor?
Co-working spaces do have custodians, but they only come in once a day. Clean up after yourself, and even after others who don’t have common courtesy. If you see something that needs to be done, just do it. And how about that coffee? If it has run out, brew some fresh joe. It only takes a few minutes.
4. Share your time, expertise, and creativity
We all have unique talents and skills. As we become part of a coworking community, we can share these with others. When we do, we find that others will share with us, too. Do you need a creative title for a blog post? Do you want someone to check your grammar for an important proposal or email? Then be that resource for those in need, and they will reciprocate. That’s what community is all about.
5. Support others, don’t take advantage
It’s fine to ask for advice in small chunks, so long as you reciprocate. But if you need a lengthier consult with someone, treat that person as you would any respected consultant. Offer to pay them for their time, just as you would expect to be paid. If, for example, you need something translated into French, and there is a native Frenchman in your space, do not take advantage. Offer to pay what you would if you were to use a translation service.
Ben Wright, administrator of Is Accurate, puts it this way: “Most translators operate as freelancers and work for one or more agencies. They are remote workers who often use coworking spaces. While they want to be good neighbors, they are in the business to earn a living. If you impose upon them for lengthy free services, they lose money.”
6. Participate in events
Most coworking managers schedule social (and even professional) events that allow members of their communities to establish personal relationships with one another. These are critical parts of developing a true community within the coworking environment. When you participate, you show your willingness to be a part of the community.
7. Keep Your Schedule
If you have scheduled a conference room, keep to the time allotment. It is rude and inconsiderate to go over your time as others are waiting for the room. And a related courtesy has to do with printers. If you have a large print run, let your co-workers know and ask if they would like to print out anything before you begin. It’s sort of like letting someone with just a few items ahead of you in the grocery store checkout line, when you have a basket full. Another point: If conference room space is limited, don’t overbook.
8. About those meeting/conference rooms
Of course, you are offering coffee and perhaps some snacks to your guests. Of course, there will be others using that room after you do. Please make sure that you have left the room as nice, if not better, than you found it (it’s a Girl and Boy Scout motto, after all). Here’s the thing. The next user may be bringing in a really important potential client. How would you like the room to look if this were you?
9. Don’t Interrupt
If you want to run something by a coworker, ask when would be a good time. Never interrupt a phone call or a conversation that person is having with others. And the same goes for you. If you are interrupted, let the person know when it would be a good time.
10. Embrace the Diversity Within Your Community
It is likely that you will be working alongside individuals whose ethnicity and cultural backgrounds are very different from yours. What an amazing experience this can be for everyone. You may not understand all of their behaviors or their perceptions of courtesy. Take the time to find out – you’ll be far more well-rounded as a result. Everyone’s cultural background must be honored and respected.
Have any more coworking tips to share? Tweet us @yonder_io and use the hashtag #coworkingtips!
Diana Adjadj used to be a marketing consultant for Specific Appraisals for over 2 years. Now she is sharing her experience and practical tips in her blog. Diana also is a good friend of Studicus where she gladly shares her notes for writing blog posts and does some editing.
