Show of hands: who here hasn’t imagined how nice it would be to work from home? As they say, be careful what you wish for. For many people, working from home has become a mandate, and if you’re not so sure how to feel about that, please know that you’re not alone.
Working remotely has its challenges even in the best of circumstances. And we know these aren’t the best of circumstances. That’s why we’ve been talking to our HR team about how to make working from home...work--because for many of you out there, working from home is the new “working,” at least for the foreseeable future. Here are some of the words of wisdom we’ve collected thus far:
Set up a home office
Figure out where you are most productive, and be willing to move to a different place if it turns out not to be workable for you.
Treat every workday as a day in the office
Start your day at a defined time. End at a defined time. Take defined breaks
Use your work computer
Security demands continuing to use company-issued devices to access company information. Don’t leave your devices unattended. Treat them as you would treat them at the office.
Schedule daily check-ins
Staying engaged is crucial. Daily check-ins with your team can help to reinforce you’re part of a team, you’re all in this together, and business is continuing (as is life).
Expect the unexpected and overcommunicate
These two go hand in hand. But let your supervisor know if you’re having issues with your childrens’ schedules, etc.
Be kind to yourself and your family
Try not to stress out over parenting issues. You were a parent before this. No one expects a superhero. You’ve got this.