If you have never used a coworking space before, you may not know what to expect when you do give it a try. In this post, we hope to help you get up to speed on general coworking etiquette, so you feel that much more comfortable coming to work here.
1. Don’t forget your headphones
Whether you like to listen to music, podcasts, or white noise while you work, make sure you do so privately. A good pair of headphones are an absolute must-have in a coworking space. Not only do they ensure you aren’t bothering others, but noise-canceling headphones can help block out conversations and activities that may be going on around you. Keep in mind that this goes for calls and meetings as well as music. Odds are, nobody else wants to hear both sides of your conversation! Of course, one of the many benefits of a coworking space is the chance to meet and share ideas with other professionals, but sometimes you don’t want to be disturbed, and headphones are a great way to signal that.
2. Make use of call booths
Most communal offices have “phone booths” for making calls or taking short meetings. These booths tend to be soundproof and allow you to talk freely without disturbing those working around you. Make use of these booths as much as possible when you’re on calls or meetings. Some coworking spaces will have a process of reserving booths, while others will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
3. Keep an eye on the clock
In coworking space etiquette, time is everything. If you’ve reserved a meeting room, be mindful of the person who has booked it after you. If you’re using a phone booth, be aware that others may be waiting to use it as well. The same goes for booking tables or workspaces. Most things in coworking spaces are shared, so keeping to a schedule makes you a good communal user and allows others to do their work as well.
4. Clean up after yourself
General etiquette in most public spaces dictates you clean up after yourself, and coworking spaces are no different. While every shared office will have janitorial services, it’s important to leave your workspace just as clean as you found it, so that the next person can easily sit down and get to work. This also goes for the communal kitchens many coworking spaces will have, as well as printer rooms, meeting spaces, and phone booths.
Whether you decide to work at Work Hive or use another coworking space, these general rules should apply. Being mindful of how we share the space helps us all be comfortable and productive.
Work Hive has the amenities you need to make your day productive -- natural lighting, adjustable height desks in a quiet coworking studio, printing and scanning, coffee, conference rooms, phone rooms, and more. Come try coworking in Downtown Salt Lake City, or try our Sugar House location.
