Working Remote Guide: Tips for Success

Working remotely has been an option for many before now, but has recently been adopted by companies far and wide due to the coronavirus pandemic. A great alternative to in-office work, remote work allows employee mental and physical health has become a high priority.

Many companies that have adopted remote working in the midst of the pandemic have proven that they can still function harmoniously through Zoom calls, messaging services, email, and shared documents.

Although some employees thrive while working remotely, the transition from office to informal home office has not been easy for everyone. Some employees struggle to focus while working from home – whether it be lack of dedicated office space, at-home distractions, and interruptions like neighbors noisy leaf blowers, children, or significant others, working remotely can be challenging. How can employees be their most productive while working from home? Here are our remote work tips for success.

Find the right workspace

One of the most important aspects of working from home is the workspace. This varies from person-to-person and from home-to-home, with no “one size fits all” solution for working from home – unique needs and available space differ from one employee to another. Some may have dedicated space to call their “home office”, whereas others have to get a little creative with their available space. For more privacy, virtual workers have resorted to converting space in their bedrooms to home offices. Shared spaces have also become remote offices, from living rooms, kitchens, or even porches or back yards. These shared space spaces can very functional but may be prone to distractions.

It’s also very common for employees to work from non-traditional workspaces like the couch or kitchen table. But, these spaces can cause decreased productivity and discomfort after a while. Working from a dedicated office space can create normalcy and a divide between work and home life, which increases productivity.

Employees who feel distracted or lack an adequate office space at home should try using a coworking space. Most employees are used to working in an office setting and coworking spaces can offer many of the same elements as their usual office. Working from home can be difficult because employees associate their home environment with relaxation and comfort. A coworking space can offer their workday some variety, help them separate their work and home life, and increase productivity.

Use the right tools

Many employees have put off creating a home workspace in hopes of returning to the office, but in most cases that may not be an option for a while, if at all. So, employees may want to consider investing in a desk and an ergonomic work chair if they don’t have one already. There are also mobile desks available, which allow employees to move their workstation wherever they please.

Additionally, working from home has likely increased the amount of time employees spend on their laptops and other digital devices. Over time, this can cause employees to feel digitally fatigued, which makes them irritable, tired, and stressed, ultimately leading to a less productive workday. Digital screens have the ability to cause these symptoms because of the blue-light they emit. Digital blue-light is stronger and more intense than natural blue-light and is more amplified because of the close proximity of the screens. Employees can deter these side effects by using blue-light glasses on screen-heavy days, but they should also take periodic breaks during the workday and log-off outside of work hours. Digital fatigue often occurs when employees are overworked, which happens more often remotely because they have their work with them at all times.

Keep in touch

Working from home offers employees safety and security during these difficult times, but it can also cause employees to feel confined and stressed. Although employees are grateful for the opportunity to work remotely, they can begin to feel like they are stuck in a rut day after day. Especially now with winter months ahead, remote employees may be finding fewer reasons to leave the house.

Working from the same environment with limited contact can be more difficult than it sounds and the isolation that employees tend to feel can often make them lethargic. On top of all that, losing momentum during business hours can also cause employees to feel stressed and guilty because they aren’t as productive as they should be.

Remote employees could benefit from occasional social meetings to break up their day. Virtual lunches or coffee meet-ups with co-workers will leave employees feeling energized and alert. Along with staying in touch with co-workers, employees should be further encouraged to work from coworking spaces to give them more variety during their week. More communication and a change of scenery will help employees thrive outside of the office and offer a sense of normalcy.

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Working from home shouldn’t cause stress—give Metro Offices a try instead. Browse our locations today.

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tags: Business tips | wellness | work from home | workspace solutions