Over the past few weeks, we have seen so many companies and small businesses all over the country requesting that their employees work from home until further notice due to the outbreak of the CoronaVirus. With so many people currently settling into their new work environments, we decided to add a new ‘Work from Home’ section to our Connect Promotions website and we also wanted to share some tips to help you and your team adjust to working from home.
1. Equip your team with the technology they need
One of the best ways to ensure your team stays positive and productive during this challenging time is to provide them with all the tools and technology they need to continue their work from home as normal.
Ensure that everyone has what they need from their work station at the office including keyboards, their mouse and any extra monitors that might be helpful. Working from home might mean you are working in a noisy environment or using your phone a little more. Providing various necessary desktop accessories like noise-cancelling headphones, phone chargers, stationery and notebooks or USB hubs will allow employees to stay on top of their workload and keep everyone on the same page.
2. Schedule daily check-ins
Working from home means that managers will have reduced face time with their employees which is why organising daily check-in’s via video or phone chat can be an important way for your team to stay connected and engaged throughout the workday. A brief morning and evening group or individual check-in can help make sure your team feels involved and chatting with colleagues as well. This can also reassure them that they are still part of a wider team even though they are not sharing an office. Use communication tools like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Hangouts to chat and organise conference calls to stay connected at all times.
3. Dedicated workspace
We might find ourselves working from home for an extended period of time over the coming weeks which is why it is so important to promote a dedicated workspace among your team. Choose a space in the house where you are least likely to be distracted or interrupted. A space that’s not communal and will allow you to work as best as you can during this transition from work office to the home office. Also make sure you have enough space for your monitors, laptops and phone systems. This will allow you to settle in with a little less disruption.
4. Take breaks
While working from home, it is always good to take breaks from time to time. These are so important to help you maintain your workflow. Why not plan your day the night before and schedule in some much-needed downtime throughout the day. Go for a quick walk around the house or have a coffee break out in the garden, this will allow you to get some fresh air and get the blood flowing. Going for a quick stroll or jog down the street can also be beneficial and will help you feel less isolated as we continue to practice social distancing.
5. Switching off after work
Transitioning from work to home can be a difficult task especially if it is your first time experiencing it, as are so many people all over the country right now. The first few days will be tough but try to remember to switch off at the end of your day. We would recommend that you tidy away any materials relating to work and shut off your laptop when it is time to do so. Enjoy your evening downtime and use this time to rest and recharge. Take a walk or watch a little TV, this can help you switch off from work and settle back into home life a little quicker.
