As a result of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, millions of employees across the UK have been forced to work from home as a result of social distancing measures put in place by the government. While the concept is a dream for many, the reality can be very different. Working from home can pose challenges to any employee such as staying motivated, engaging with tasks and sticking to a strict schedule. In this guide, we’re going to list some of the best tips on working from home: 1. Establish your own routine
Although it can be a benefit of ultimately being your own boss when working from home, this can pose as a real problem for those who struggle to concentrate without being in the presence of authority. However, this means you have to create your own routine to ensure you’re able to work as normal and find the balance between work and your personal life.
It’s important to maintain a strict routine every single day to get you into work mode. With this in mind, it would be advised to wake up at the same time every day, eat breakfast and get changed out of your pajamas. Putting on smart clothes as though you are heading to the office will allow you to feel make you feel much more productive as it puts you into ‘work mode’. 2. Make a dedicated workspace
In an ideal world, you should have somewhere in the home where you can work without distractions – such as in the kitchen or living room. As an alternative, you could consider converting the spare room or garden shed into a temporary office space to get you into the right frame of mind. Rooms that are associated with leisure time will prevent you from getting into ‘work mode’ and therefore, may halt your productivity. 3. Give yourself a break You may feel pressured to be available on a 24/7 basis when you’re working from home, however, this can have an extremely negative impact on your mental health. Ensure you’re making the time for regular breaks throughout the day to manage your stress levels and don’t deny yourself of lunch or taking the recommended 10-15 minutes away from your screen to prevent suffering from eye strain. 4. Over-communicate
While working from home, you may find that you’re lacking the level of communication that you’re used to. Working remotely requires you to over-communicate with your colleagues to ensure that tasks are carried out correctly. It can be difficult to clarify instructions of how to complete tasks or ask questions without face-to-face contact, so you may need to explain every aspect in more detail than usual to ensure the message is communicated effectively. If you’re currently working from home or have applied for jobs that are expecting you to work from home either on a temporary or permanent basis, we hope this blog has given you some useful tips to take on board to ensure you’re able to carry out your job role effectively.
