Top 10 tips for working from home

These are very challenging times for all of us. In the last 18 months, social distancing saw millions of us set up working in our own home.

Working from home can have real benefits such as no commuting and seeing more of the family but can also cause stresses. Here are our top 10 tips for making life that little bit easier:

 

 

1. Designate a work space – If it is possible try to create a space to work. Even if it is a corner of a room that you can make “Out of bounds” and lay out what you need to be able to work efficiently. In the ideal scenario this will be a separate room or somewhere quiet but this is not always possible.
2. Get comfortable – If you are working from home for a short term then it is not always possible to set up a permanent workstation. Try to set the work area up so that you can maintain a good posture and avoid strains and back problems. Having a view to the outside and good ventilation also helps.
3. Make agreements – When sharing the work space with other family members it is sometimes difficult to focus on work. Try to agree that work time disturbance needs to be minimise to reduce stress. Explain to children that you are at work and can play later where possible.
4. Check the internet connection can cope – We do not all have the fastest broadband available and when connecting through company servers or complete with the family gamers sometimes the internet will slow you down. If this is a challenge then try to plan the work to allow for gaps for the internet to catch up.
5. Stay safe – Consider the safety of all of the household. With more people in the house and possible more equipment the risks can increase. Are young children or toddlers prevented from accessing electrical cables or loose items. Can everyone escape in an emergency? Are there any other risks?
6. Create a routine – Try to maintain a routine so that you get yourself and the others in the household into the difference between work and home time. Plan your day as if you are at work. Ensure to separate the working day from time at home to allow a managed work / life balance.
7. Be flexible – Sometimes things do not go to plan. If there are others in the house they are not at work and will sometimes disturb your work. Try to find the balance between routine and having some flexibility for inevitable interruption. Try to get back to it as soon as possible after the interruption though.
8. Plan breaks into the day – Remember to stop and relax, take a walk or just have those regular cuppa’s.
9. Up the communication – It is easy to become too distant when isolated at home. Send an update on progress every now and then or just a message to keep the communication going. Maybe a call at the end of the day to check that there is nothing that needs urgent attention.
10. Remember to have fun – You may be working from home and there may be frustrations but remember we are all having the same challenges whether this is the internet, the family or lack of access to all the usual equipment. Try to smile and strategise to cope with the challenges and home working gets easier.