Coworking Etiquette 101

How to Be a Great Neighbor at West Hartford Coworking

Coworking is kind of like a really productive coffee shop where everyone actually gets work done—and nobody has to fight for an outlet. But for that to work, we all share an unspoken agreement: we’re here together, so let’s make it awesome together.

At West Hartford Coworking, our community runs on a few simple etiquette habits. They’re not about being strict—they’re about helping everyone stay focused, comfortable, and happy to come back tomorrow.

Here’s a friendly guide to our key coworking etiquette practices and what they look like in everyday life.

1. Headphones on for all virtual conversations

House rule:

Headphones should be used at all times for virtual conversations on the computer or phone. No “speaker phone” mode.

Zoom calls, Teams meetings, quick client check-ins—remote work is part of daily life here. But in a shared space, open audio can get loud fast.

What this means for you:

• Always use headphones or earbuds for:

  • Zoom/Teams/Google Meet calls

  • Phone calls made via your laptop

  • Listening to videos, podcasts, or training content

• Never take calls on speakerphone at your desk.

• If you need to play something out loud (e.g., testing audio or sharing something with a colleague), step into a more private area or a meeting room when available.

Why it matters:
Headphones instantly cut down on noise spillover, which helps your fellow members concentrate, take their own calls, or sink into deep work without distraction. It’s one of the easiest ways to be a great coworking neighbor.

2. Silence your device when you can

House rule: Silence device ringers or sounds when possible.

A single loud ringtone can yank everyone out of their flow—especially in an open workspace.

Quick etiquette wins:

• Switch your phone to vibrate (or silent) while you’re in shared areas.

• Turn off loud notification sounds on:

  • Laptops

  • Tablets

  • Smartwatches

• If you’re expecting an important call:

  • Keep your phone on vibrate

  • Take the call away from the shared desk area when it comes in

Think of it like this: if your device is making repeated noise that others can reliably hear, it’s probably time to turn the volume down or off.

3. Keep conversations at a respectful volume

House rule: Keep conversation levels to a respectful volume while at the desks.

We love that people connect here—chatting with seat neighbors, catching up with coworkers, or networking between members is part of the magic. But the main desk areas are still work zones first.

Good rules of thumb:

• Use your “library voice” when you’re:

  • Sitting at shared desks

  • Chatting with someone nearby

  • Taking a quick, short call

• If a conversation is:

  • Longer than a few minutes

  • Involving multiple people

  • Starting to feel animated or personal
    → Shift to a lounge area, hallway, or booked meeting room instead.

• Notice the vibe:

  • If most people are quietly typing away with headphones on, try to match that energy.

  • If you’re not sure how loud you sound, you’re probably louder than you think (it happens to all of us!).

Respectful volume isn’t about silence—it’s about balance. We want space for both focus and connection.

4. Leave every shared space cleaner than you found it

House rule:

Keep our shared spaces cleaner than you found them!

Our space is shared—desks, kitchen, conference rooms, phone booths, coffee breaks—the whole thing. That means how you leave a space directly affects the next person’s day.

Please make it a habit to:

At your desk

• Throw away any trash before you leave.

• Take personal items with you (notebooks, chargers, water bottles, etc.).

• Wipe up any crumbs or spills from snacks or drinks.

In the conference room

• Take everything you brought in back out with you.

• Erase the whiteboard if you used it.

• Push in chairs and reset the room so it’s ready for the next booking.

• Wipe up any spills or crumbs with a wet paper towel from the kitchen.

In the kitchen / common areas

• Rinse and load dishes into the dishwasher (or wash them if that’s the setup).

• Wipe up coffee drips, spills, or crumbs on counters and tables.

• Don’t leave open containers or half-eaten food behind.

• If you finish something communal (e.g., last bit of coffee), let us know so we can refresh it for the next person.

In the bathroom

• Make sure paper towels and other trash end up in the trash can, not on counters or the floor.

• Leave sinks tidy—wipe up any water splashes on the counter or mirror with a paper towel.

• Flush fully and check that everything is left in a clean, presentable state for the next person - take care of any splashes or streaks ;-)

• Avoid leaving personal items or products behind on sinks or shared surfaces.

“Cleaner than you found it” is our gold standard—it keeps the space feeling welcoming, professional, and stress-free for everyone.

5. A few bonus “good neighbor” tips

Beyond the core rules above, here are a few small habits that go a long way in a coworking community:

• Use headphones even for “just one quick video.”
  Those “quick” moments add up over the day.

• Be mindful of strong smells.
  Super fragrant foods, perfumes, or reheated meals can be distracting in a shared space.

• Be aware of personal space.
  Don’t spread your stuff across multiple desks unless you’ve intentionally booked them.

• When in doubt, reach out.
  If you’re ever unsure about something or have a concern, send us a message through the Optix app or email us at team@wehaworks.com and we’ll be happy to help.

Why coworking etiquette matters at WHCowork

These etiquette guidelines aren’t about being rigid. They’re about protecting what makes coworking special:

• A calm, professional place to get meaningful work done

• A friendly, respectful community

• A space that feels good to walk into—every single day

When everyone follows these simple practices…

• Calls are smoother

• Focus is easier

• The space stays clean

• And members actually enjoy being here together (which is the whole point).

If you ever have questions about how to make your work style fit our shared space, remember: we’re just a message away in the Optix app or at team@wehaworks.com.

And if you’re reading this and thinking about joining us—book a tour and come see how these little etiquette habits create a big sense of “I am part of a community.”