If you’ve never worked at a flexible workspace before, the idea can be intimidating. It’s like a “normal” office, but it’s different. There’s people from other companies, something called “coworking” is going on and there might even be beer on tap.
Since the earliest days of Desana, we’ve received lots of different questions from users about what they should be doing, how they should be behaving and even what they should be wearing. So we thought it might be handy to put the answers all in one place, just in case you had the same questions too.
Whether or not you are a Desana user, the first thing to do when arriving at a coworking space is to report to reception and let them know who you are.
They’ll give you any details you need to know, everything from the wifi password to information about the drop-in yoga session. They might even give you a brief tour of the space so you know exactly what amenities you can use.
You can sit anywhere you want to in the coworking area. If you’re in any doubt, just ask the community manager or person on reception.
All coworking spaces provide you with a desk, a chair, WiFi, and - if you’re cheeky - you might be able to wangle a pen.
You should remember to bring anything you need to do your job, from laptop to funky stands. Don’t forget your charger! (It’s a mistake we’ve all made before.)
There’s no prescribed dress code for coworking spaces, although most people tend to adopt the hard-to-define-but-easy-to-spot “smart casual”.
Having said that, you get all sorts of fashion statements and nobody bats an eye at the business man in the suit and tie or the 1-man startup gang in ripped jeans and hoodie.
If in doubt, just stick to your company’s dress code.
Yes! Part of the joy of coworking is interacting with people you might not otherwise meet - so feel free to strike up conversations as you navigate your way around the kitchen.
But don’t interrupt people while they are working. And if you are worried about other people interrupting you, invest in a pair of headphones - the universal signal for “leave me alone” (even if some pickup artists refuse to get the hint).
Almost all spaces provide coffee (and, in the UK, tea) free of charge. It can range from a Tetley teabag to an on-site barista and everything in between but there's a high probability of getting your caffeine fix.
Some spaces offer free beer (and other beverages) for post-work relaxing. Most spaces trust their users to not drink to excess.
This varies from space to space and will depend on your membership type. Desana users can only have guests if they book a meeting room to work in together. If you are in any doubt, ask the community manager of the space.
Of course! In a world where zoom is now a verb, every workspace knows they’ll need to accommodate people having calls by phone or video. Some provide dedicated breakout spaces, some provide phone booths and some allow calls in the communal space.
If you are making calls in the communal space, be respectful of others and use headphones to minimise the distraction.
The rules vary from space to space. Some spaces work on a first-come, first served basis, while others allow you to reserve a time slot. The community manager will explain the rules when you arrive.
If you urgently need private space for a call, have a chat to the community manager as they are normally pretty adept at finding a private space.
It depends on the space. If in doubt check in advance. On Desana, users can filter for pet-friendly spaces where you can just rock up with your dog.
Most of coworking is just common sense and basic courtesy. Just be aware that you are sharing the space with others - so no shouting matches on the phone with your boss or leaving unwashed mugs around the place - and you’ll be grand.
