{"id":3347,"date":"2019-12-19T19:59:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-20T00:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eptura.wpengine.com\/discover-more\/blog\/coworking-space-etiquette\/"},"modified":"2024-09-10T00:34:30","modified_gmt":"2024-09-10T04:34:30","slug":"coworking-space-etiquette","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eptura.com\/discover-more\/blog\/coworking-space-etiquette\/","title":{"rendered":"Coworking Space Etiquette: Critical for Success"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the biggest points of contention in coworking is the lack of personal space. Your desk is only yours for as long as you occupy it\u2014when you leave, it becomes someone else\u2019s workstation. Even while you\u2019re there, the space you occupy is communal. Unfortunately, not everyone operates the same way with regard to office etiquette. We know why coworking space is important<\/a>, but when you get enough people in the same space and personalities will clash over things like cleanliness, noise, and habits. This is why established coworking space etiquette is paramount.<\/p>\n

Giving everyone the same baseline expectations for how to behave in a coworking space goes a long way toward alleviating friction and tension. The rules can be as specific as they need to be, but simply providing guidance for good behavior is often enough to keep the peace. Think about a library, for example. Every person knows to keep a reasonably quiet volume and not bother the people around them. The concept is much the same for coworking.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s noise, distracting habits, area organization, or other specific issues, make sure everyone knows the guidelines. Getting people to follow coworking space etiquette is critical for the success of the workplace.<\/p>\n

Common courtesy and coworking<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before formulating coworking space rules, consider common courtesy. What should you reasonably expect from people, and what do they reasonably expect from each other? Much of your open workspace etiquette comes from these expectations.<\/p>\n

For example, if your coworking space is more of a social environment, can you reasonably expect people to talk in whispers? Probably not. The good news is a social atmosphere likely won\u2019t create that expectation for visitors. They\u2019ll expect to chat at normal volume with fellow workers and group-mates.<\/p>\n

Now, consider the other end of the spectrum. With 20 to 30 people in a space, the volume is liable to get a little loud. Again, this is a reasonable expectation. That said, there\u2019s an implied etiquette of not yelling. People chatting at a regular volume are still working and not bothering others around them doing the same. Someone yelling across the room is a disruptor and such outbursts shouldn\u2019t be condoned.<\/p>\n

It sounds like common sense\u2026and it should be! Good etiquette is common courtesy in most cases. It\u2019s a matter of looking at the reasonable expectations for your coworking space and setting standards based on them. Whether it\u2019s noise level, behavior, or a dress code, when you set etiquette guidelines, you\u2019re also implying the standard.<\/p>\n

Respect for others and the workplace<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Addressing collaboration space etiquette standards can be more difficult than it seems. It\u2019s easy to post rules and hope people follow them. But sooner or later there\u2019s bound to be a disruption. Someone talking too loudly. A person bothering others. An issue with behavior or hygiene. These situations don\u2019t resolve themselves just because you post rules.<\/p>\n

Enforcing coworking etiquette rules shows you\u2019re committed to the standards of the space\u2014posted or implied. Unfortunately, addressing them can mean confrontation. Even in the wrong, some people will push back on being asked to observe common courtesy. In these situations, take the following approach to preserve the integrity of the environment:<\/p>\n