Coworking spaces have been around since the early 2000s. Recently, they've grown exponentially as more and more professionals adopt a flexible working schedule. These spaces offer everything you need from a traditional office at cheaper rates, with better amenities and opportunities for social interaction.
However, working in a shared office space comes with some challenges. Since you're going to work with various people in the co-op workspace, you’ll need to figure out how to maintain privacy and work with minimal distractions.
To have a positive and productive experience, it’s best to outline some pointers for shared office space etiquette. So if you're new to the world of coworking, here are five tips to keep in mind:
Shared workspaces usually have noise policies for communal and private work areas. However, it's still important to be mindful of your noise at all times. When setting up your desk, ensure you're not making too many sounds so you won't disturb others. Additionally, if you prefer to listen to music or podcasts while working, you can do so with headphones.
Having headphones is a must in a coworking space. It ensures that you aren't bothering others while helping you block out conversations that may be going on around you. Your headphones are also a great way to signal that you don't want to be disturbed.
Most coworking office spaces have call booths where workers can make calls or take short meetings. These areas are entirely soundproof, allowing you to talk freely without disturbing those working around you. These are also the ideal places to handle delicate work situations.
In some shared office spaces, you will need to reserve your booth to make use of the amenity. However, some offer their call booths on a first-come-first-serve basis. Check with your expansive workspace to determine which process they are using so you can use their call booths with no issues.
When you're in a coworking Los Angeles office, it's essential to be mindful of other people's space. Of course, you'll have your desk, table or booth all to yourself, but you'll be sharing space most of the time. Tables and couches are often communal areas, and it's impolite to spread your things over these places since others may need to occupy that space. In addition, the kitchen is usually an area for people to continue working while eating, so you shouldn't talk too loudly to avoid disturbing their work.
Overall, be aware of other people's work habits and avoid interrupting them for no reason. Most coworking spaces host events specifically for networking and collaboration, so there's plenty of time for you to socialize during these times.
Time is everything in shared office space etiquette. If you are using a booth or a meeting room, be conscious of the person who booked it after you. By prolonging a client call, you're most likely causing a delay for everyone else who needs to use that space.For this reason, proper time management is crucial to working in shared workspaces. Create a personal schedule and try to stick to it. This is the best thing you can do for the people you share the co-op workspace with so everyone can stay on schedule.
It's a general rule in most public spaces to clean up after yourself, and coworking offices are no different. For the sake of the staff and other members you work with, it's ideal to leave the space as clean as possible. No one likes dealing with a mess left behind by a previous worker, so make sure to toss wrappers, cups and napkins before leaving. This rule also goes for other communal areas such as the kitchen, printer room, phone booths and meeting spaces. While every expansive workspace has janitorial services, it's still essential for you to do your part.
Are you looking for a coworking Los Angeles office? Cross Campus can provide you with the space you need. With Cross Campus, you get access to top-of-the-line amenities and the chance to build meaningful professional connections. In addition, our meeting rooms can accommodate teams of all sizes. Whether you require a space for your 1-person meeting or 20-person workshop, there is an ideal room for you in our Los Angeles location. Fill out our contact form to book a call and learn more about the options we offer.