Community Rules
Here are our Community Rules. By using the space, you agree to abide by these rules and hold your guests and employees accountable to the rules as well.
Personal Property
Members and guests are responsible for their personal property.
Highland Business Center and Coworking Space will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Therapy Dog
Highland Business Center and Coworking Space has a Therapy Dog registered with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. In accordance with ATD membership, our therapy dog is up to date on all required vaccinations and has been thoroughly temperament tested and certified as an AKC K-9 Good Citizen.
Our current therapy dog, Olaf, is a mixed breed yellow lab, born in December 2020, and is available most days during the hours of 11am and 1pm for break time visits to destress from work.
Although interacting with Olaf is optional, members and/or guests with a severe allergy to dogs or who do not wish to work in an environment with a therapy dog should not engage in membership at the Premises.
Internet/Wifi Terms of Service
By using or accessing the internet connection at the Premises, you agree to these Internet/Wifi terms of service. Please read these terms carefully. We may revise these terms at any time. You are deemed to accept the current terms each time you use or access the connection, and it is your responsibility to review it for any changes. If you do not accept the following terms of service, you may not use the connection.
Prohibited Uses: Users agree not to, and are prohibited from, accessing or using (or attempting to access or use) Highland Business Center’s internet connection to violate any applicable law, harm Highland Business Center and Coworking Space, it’s members, guests or others, or interfere or block others from using the internet. Additionally, users must refrain from:
Uploading or transmitting any material through the connection that is intended to interfere with or disrupt the normal functioning of a computer or network, such as computer viruses, worms, spam, or any other disruptive elements. Additionally, any material that is defamatory, offensive, or obscene in nature is strictly prohibited.
Engaging in actions that unreasonably burden or threaten the security of our network, infrastructure, system, users, or any third parties. This includes attempting to circumvent access restrictions or engaging in activities that violate our network or system security.
Usage of the connection for infringing upon or violating the intellectual property rights or proprietary rights of any third party.
Sharing your IP address or ISP internet connection with any other individuals.
Reproducing, retransmitting, disseminating, reselling, or authorizing the use of the connection, whether for profit or not.
Uploading, sharing, hosting, or engaging in any activity related to content that is obscene or offensive.
Uploading, sharing, hosting, displaying, modifying, publishing, updating, or transmitting any information falling under the following categories:
Information belonging to another person, over which the user has no right.
Information that is grossly harmful, harassing, blasphemous, obscene, pornographic, pedophilic, libelous, hateful, or otherwise unlawful.
Information that encourages or relates to money laundering or gambling.
Information that may harm minors in any way.
Information that infringes upon any intellectual or proprietary rights.
Information that is deceptive, menacing, or grossly offensive.
Information that impersonates another person.
Information that contains any computer virus or other computer contaminant.
Information that incites the commission of an offense or prevents the investigation of any offense.
At any time and for any reason, member access may be blocked, suspended, or terminated, including violation of these terms of service, disruption of access to other users or networks or to otherwise protect other users.
Connectivity: At times, the connection may fail to work due to emergencies, service interruption, equipment or network issues, signal strength, and/or maintenance and repair. Although Highland Business Center and Coworking Space will do its best to avoid disruption of internet services, we are not responsible for any interruptions or performance issues with the connection, or the underlying network(s), transmission equipment and systems. Businesses who rely on internet connectivity to operate should ensure that they have a backup plan in the event of a service interruption, such as using their phone’s internet hot spot.
Speed: Network speed can vary based on devices, network use and other factors.
Illegal and/or prohibited uses may result in the removal of obscene/offensive content, account de- activation, or access/usage termination, including notification of law enforcement agencies. While Highland Business Center and Coworking Space respects the privacy of our users, we will report internet use suspected to be illegal or in violation of this agreement to the appropriate authorities. By using the internet, you agree to hold harmless Highland Business Center, its employees, managers, owners and other members from good faith reporting of suspected illegal internet use. Subject to applicable law, we may monitor, intercept and review, and disclose, without further notice, any transmissions over or use of our connection to comply with lawful process, orders, warrants or subpoenas, or to protect our rights, property and users.
Member acknowledges that no data network and internet-based communication is 100% secure, any and all communications could be intercepted by equipment and software and no data or communication transmitted over the Highland Business Center and Coworking space network should be considered private or protected.
Users of the wireless internet at the Highland Business Center and Coworking Space are required to ensure that their equipment remains updated with the latest software updates provided by the software vendor and free from any malicious software such as malware, viruses, spyware, worms, Trojans, or any other programs designed to engage in harmful, invasive, or disruptive activities. The management retains the authority to exclude any device from our networks that poses a risk to the security and well- being of our networks or users, until the threat is resolved.
Surveillance: Highland Business Center, LLC reserves the right to capture video footage of interior and exterior areas within our premises for security purposes at our own discretion. Members should, therefore, not have any expectation of privacy while on the Premises, with the exception of restrooms.
WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, INDEMNITY, AND INSURANCE:
Member acknowledges that the building and facilities subject to this Agreement contain shared working spaces and areas utilized by various Members, including their employees and guests, and that Members may not have exclusive occupancy rights to said areas. Although Highland Business Center and Coworking Space takes reasonable steps to secure/monitor the premises and evaluate Membership applicants, it cannot and does not guarantee the safety of persons and/or their property in such a shared use environment. By executing this Agreement, Member acknowledges and assumes the risk of personal injury and property theft and/or damage inherent in such a shared use environment. It shall be the sole responsibility of Members to secure their personal property while they are on the premises and to remove their personal property upon leaving the premises for the day. It shall be Member’s sole responsibility to insure personal property he/she brings upon the Premises.
Member hereby waives (on behalf of himself/herself and his/her employees and guests) any and all claims and damages (including, without limitation, negligence, inadequate security, personal injury, theft, property damage, emotional distress, lost wages, business interruption, and direct, special, incidental, consequential and punitive damages) against Highland Business Center and Coworking Space, its members, managers, and employees arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or while Member is on the Premises, unless the bodily injury or property damage suffered by Member is the result of the gross negligence or willful and wanton conduct of Highland Business Center and Coworking Space.
Member shall indemnify, defend, protect, and hold harmless Highland Business Center and Coworking Space, its members, managers, and employees from and against any and all loss, cost, damage, claims, expense and liability (including without limitation court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with or arising out of a breach of this Agreement, the negligence or intentional misconduct of Member or Member’s employees and/or guests in, on, or about the Premises.
Highland Business Center and Coworking Space shall not be liable for injury to Member’s business or loss of income therefrom or for damage that may be sustained by the person, merchandise or personal property of Member, its employees, agents, invitees or contractors or any other person in or about the Premises, caused by or resulting from fire, steam, electricity, gas, water or rain, which may leak or flow from or into any part of the Premises, or from the breakage, leakage, obstruction or other defects of any utility installations, air conditioning system or other components of the Premises, except to the extent that such damage or loss is caused by Highland Business Center and Coworking Space’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Highland Business Center and Coworking Space represents and warrants that the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system(s) and utility installations existing as of the Membership Commencement Date shall be in good order and repair. Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, Highland Business Center and Coworking Space shall not be liable in damages or otherwise for any discontinuance, failure or interruption of service to the Premises of utilities or the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system(s) and Member shall have no right to terminate this Membership or withhold rental because of the same.
Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of North Carolina. Any disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in North Carolina.
In the event Highland Business Center and Coworking Space institutes a legal action against the Member to enforce the terms of this Agreement or to recover any sums due hereunder, Member agrees to pay Highland Business Center and Coworking Space’s reasonable attorney's fees in addition to all other damages.
Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations, and agreements, whether oral or written.
Amendment and Waiver: No amendment or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding unless made in writing and signed by both parties. The failure of either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or limitation of that party's right to subsequently enforce and compel strict compliance with that provision.
Keep the Quiet Zone Quiet during Quiet Hours
The large central coworking area containing cubicles D-F, the education space and shared desk spaces is a designated quiet work zone between 8am-11am and 1pm-5pm. Keep this area quiet and conducive to work during those times.
Minimize noise in the kitchen area during these times, being mindful to not close appliance doors loudly.
If you would like to visit with others during this time, bring your foods and beverages to the front common area to catch up and socialize.
Always assume that others are here for serious work and maintain a reasonable noise level that allows others to work without disturbance.
Music may not be played in the quiet zone during quiet hours. Please use personal headphones to enjoy music/podcasts/books, etc. in these areas.
Respect Others to Support a Positive Work Environment
Highland Business Center and Coworking Space is a place for lifting others up and collaborating. Center conversations around business strategy, professional networking, mutually beneficial business tips, education, books, podcasts and other edifying topics.
Avoid discussing "hot topics" in common areas. Topics such as politics, religion, personal finances, personal appearance, death, illness, personal gossip, offensive jokes should not be discussed in a professional environment.
Be mindful of others when using shared resources such as printers, copiers, shredders. Use them efficiently and report any issues or malfunctions to the community manager promptly by emailing office@newberncowork.
Respect the personal and work spaces of others. Everyone has different work preferences and boundaries. Avoid invading others' personal space or workstations unless explicitly invited to do so.
Maintain good personal hygiene and cleanliness to create a comfortable and healthy work environment for everyone. Be mindful of strong odors, use deodorant, and avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes that may bother others.