Take care of yourself by creating a routine – like scheduling time for lunch and short breaks away from your computer…
COVID-19 is pressuring employers to ask employees to work from home, but some employees are not experienced in working remotely. While it’s too early to say whether this spike will lead to greater remote work following COVID-19, not to worry – working from home will likely offer you a work/life balance and for the time being, help us maintain a healthy workplace when viral illnesses are at their ultimate.
We’ve collected the following tips for employees to best develop and manage your work from home responsibilities.
Employees must have internet access at home, and be prepared to follow company security policy and privacy protocols. The most important thing to do when working from home, log in and out when you are not using your computer.
Make note of any equipment you would need to work remotely and discuss with your manager. Examples include, laptop or desktop computer, monitor(s), phone, printer, charger and office supplies. Any additional equipment needs to be approved by management.
When working remote, it’s easy for messages to get lost. Best practices include documenting everything, this helps make work shareable, so colleagues and management are all on the same page.
To ensure you are informed with accurate company information and able to communicate immediately with HR, be sure to use a messaging tool to communicate with employees.
Finally, we all know, how very important it is to be careful of the language we use. It’s easy to misinterpret digital communications. If you ever feel unclear or become agitated over a written communication, this is the time to talk to that person on the phone or by video chat chat to clarify!
To ensure you’re on target with goals, expect more frequent, shorter meetings. Be sure to check your calendar regularly and be prepared for conversations and meetings with your team.
At times, things may come up at home, make sure your manager and team are aware when/if you become unavailable. Working remote allows you the option to be flexible, as long as everyone knows what they are accountable for, then having flexibility will not have a negative impact on the company.
It’s also just as important to leverage cloud-based software systems and collaboration tools that make it possible to have conference calls, host webinars, work on documents simultaneously, engage in video chat, and participate in a way that can help increase productivity and build relationships.
Make the most of your work space and try to include natural light. Take care of yourself by creating a routine – like scheduling time for lunch and short breaks away from your computer. Socialize with colleagues and reach out for support or confirmation if you need clarity. It’s also important to continue your professional development, by working on projects or try learning new ways to be effective like catching a webinar or listening to a podcast.
Managers need be open to answer any questions you may have. In fact, in a remote setup, managers will want to check in regularly and keep themselves visible to their team. Don’t let their concern for your success be misinterpreted as micromanaging. The goal is to keep the team on track while working remotely.
With limited face-to-face contact with colleagues, you might feel forgotten or detached. Team building activities, like those based around health and wellness, can play an important role in engaging one another. Support your team – stay productive and remember to keep an open mind.
Working from home is successful when you have a healthy balance of self-discipline, clear communication, and a teamwork mentality!