A new trend of work has become popular worldwide. Coworking or shared offices is a new business concept which allows people to interact and work together under a single roof. Different countries and cities have unfamiliar coworking cultures. However coworking etiquette remains the same.

What are the problems faced at shared offices?

Distractions

Working at coworking spaces can be very annoying if another co-working is immature. For example, if you are talking to your client and other coworkers are shouting and giggling from behind. This can send a bad impression to your client. Constant chatting, coughing, and sneezing can also be annoying.

Health problems

According to Asia Pacific Journal Of Health Management, 90% of studies looking at open spaces linked them to health problems and increased chances to illness such as high blood pressure, stress etc.

No privacy

You can easily get disturbed by working in a shared space. Sitting in close proximity you just can’t shout at a person saying ‘Don’t disturb me’.

Solution? There are certain etiquette rules of the shared spaces which have come into the picture to solve the problems faced at a coworking office. Anyone who is working with other people under one roof needs to be aware of such etiquette rules.

What are the etiquette rules for a coworking space?

Lower your noise

Every shared space has different noise rules. Coworkers should be aware of that. If a coworking office is meant for being silent, then you should take your calls in a meeting room or cafeteria. With this others will not get disturbed.

Find solutions to your problems before asking others

It is important to be independent while working in a cowork space. There are a few people who make a huge fuss about not able to find extra space for their bags in the lockers. This is when they have already put so much useless stuff in their lockers. Generally, people forget basic etiquettes when working with other people. Shared spaces are not service centers. Other people come there to work. You should only ask others when you are not able to find solutions to the problems yourself.

Don’t eat other’s personal food

Generally, coworkers think that they can consume anything which is kept in refrigerators. No, it’s not like that. Most of the coworking spaces have separate refrigerators one where people can purchase food/drinks and other where people can keep their personal food/drinks. It’s better to know the difference.

Don’t occupy four seats if you have paid rent for only two

Shared spaces charges per seat. If you have paid the rent for one seat then you should occupy only one seat. But the fact is that most people keep their bags at one seat and their laptops at another seat. Coworkers should not do this. It is the most important etiquette that should be followed by every coworker.

Follow the timings of coworking space

Every coworking space has its own time rules. Some of the shared offices have 24-hour access while some have 8-12 hour access. People should follow offices timings and choose a coworking space which is according to their convenience (time wise).

Keep the cafeteria clean

A cafeteria is a place where people have their meals and relax while drinking tea/coffee. Every coworker should keep the cafeteria as clean as possible to provide comfort to others. They should clean the tables after having their meals and arrange the tables/chairs back to their original place.

Carry your own supplies

It’s always better to carry your own supplies but for instance, if you need to borrow them from others, make sure to return or replace them.

Be a friendly coworker

Everyone likes a person who greets others and has a pleasing tone. This helps in building networks and promotes a good coworking environment.

Mind the scent

If you are a regular perfume/lotion user make sure it’s smell is delicate. Some people are sensitive to smells and a strong perfume/lotion smell can be harmful to their health.  

If you and other coworkers sincerely follow these etiquettes, working at a shared office will become fun and productive.