If your business has been affected by the covid-19 pandemic then you may have been instructed to work from home. This is swiftly becoming the new norm for most businesses and it is a change that seems to work for most people. If your business has decided to switch to hybrid working practices then you might be wondering how it’s possible to work from home. Take a look below for tips and tricks on how to prepare for working from home.
Quiet Space
When it comes to working from home you need to find a space within your home that offers quiet and peaceful surroundings. If you work in a space full of distractions, such as people wandering around and chatting to you then you won’t be able to get much work done throughout the day. This can lead to you not meeting deadlines and getting reprimanded by your boss.
The best place would be a room in your house where you can shut the door while you are working. This lets others in the house know that you need privacy and no distractions. If you don’t have a space like this in your home then working at the kitchen or dining table will be okay. If you do this, then at the end of the day make sure you pack everything away. This will make it easier to distinguish and change from work mode to home mode.
Equipment
You also need to think about what equipment you will need when you work from home. If you have a great boss then they may allow you to take your laptop or PC from the office, this will most likely have everything on it that you need. If this doesn’t happen then it is no hardship, you can use a laptop that you have at home or buy a second-hand one. Be aware that you will need to wipe the laptop when you start using it. This not only speeds it up but will get rid of any viruses that are present. Take a look at some other tips should your laptop get a virus.
You will also need to make sure you have a comfy desk and chair to work at. You might think that you can just use a dining chair or even your sofa. This may seem like a luxury in the short term, but when you have to sit on it for eight hours a day then it can be uncomfortable. It may also encourage RSI to develop or strain your body due to your positioning. Make sure you get a comfy chair with a high adjustable back and a practical desk that is the perfect height for you. If you are worried about sitting down for long periods then you might find a sit/stand desk a better alternative.
Fast Internet
Working from home means you can be faced with a lot of problems and inconveniences. Don’t let your internet slow you down as well, make sure you are on the fastest speed that you can get. It may mean switching providers or changing your contract with your current provider. The last thing you want is to be completing tasks slower than your other employees as this will make you look bad. However, bosses should also understand that not everyone has fast internet, so they will give you some leeway with this problem. If you are dealing with customers and clients regularly then make sure your employee covers your phone bill. You don’t want to be making calls at your own expense, chat about this and find out where you stand before you start.
Regular Breaks
When you work from the comfort of your own home don’t be afraid to take regular breaks. If you take breaks while you are in the office, either to visit the toilet or have a smoke then you are well within your rights to do this at home too. A lot of people think that because they are working from home they have to stay at their desks all day. This is not the case and you should treat it exactly as you do if you were at the office. Make sure you take a proper lunch break as well, as it can be very dull and draining staring at your screen for eight hours straight.
We hope you found this guide helpful and it gives you lots of advice on working from home. It can be a huge success and aid productivity when done right, it is just a case of getting rid of or ignoring all distractions.