A Guide to Working At Home…

As of this week, we have seen a massive spike in those working remotely due to the Taoiseach’s announcement of the closure of all physical workplaces which are non-essential in the battle against this virus. We know that your inboxes are being constantly bombarded with information about this virus and its effects and we cannot turn on the television or radio without hearing further information. With this in mind, we thought we would offer some tips today on adjusting to this new and challenging working atmosphere at home.

Working from home can often make an employee more productive as it eliminates the double commute which can often add at least an hour either side of your working day. This allows for greater productivity in the working day whilst also reducing the stressor of a commute. Being in your own space causes you to re-evaluate your working habits and work schedule, while also allowing for greater ease of maximising your work to life balance, but it is not without its challenges especially when sharing that space with children, friends or family members. There are a number of steps you can take to maximise the productivity and enjoyment of your work from home day however.

Schedule:
This is the most important tip we can offer for working from home. When working in your own space it can be tempting to adjust your hours, particularly with children in the home. This can be damaging to your productivity and also encroach on your time with family outside of working hours, so it is vital to maintain your regular working hours where possible. Set an alarm for the morning, take your normal tea and lunch breaks and keep that schedule going. Sticking to your routine may be helpful to your mental health during this challenging time.

Social:
This tip is likely very specific to our current situation of social distancing where there is no time in the office or time with loved ones outside of your immediate home. A good tip for maintaining productivity and working relationships during this time is to arrange a regular catch up group video chat with your co-workers to check in in the same way you would in the office.

Set Ground Rules:
Setting ground rules for those in your home will be vital during this time as we do not yet know how long this scenario may last and with everyone in the same boat cabin fever begins to creep in. Ensure those in your home are aware of your working hours and boundaries ahead of time to avoid repeats of that infamous BBC News interview.

Step Away:
When working from home, the time spent away from your desk can often be as vital as the time spent at the desk. Particularly during our current “lockdown” situation, where daily exercise is vital. Stepping away from your desk and taking your full break will help clear your mind and set you up for productivity in the day ahead.

Space:
Setting a designated office space will help continue to separate your business and home life and make it easier to step away from your working persona at the end of the working day. Similarly, having a separate work phone available when possible will be helpful in this endeavour.

Show Up Dress Up:
Video conferencing has become the main method of meetings being held since the Taoiseach’s announcement in early March, and it is important to show up to these meetings and make your voice heard. Getting dressed into working clothes for the day may also assist in separating work and home life, as tempting as the loungewear naturally is.

School is in Session:
Online training may be a method of staying busy if you are finding your working day slow from home, and will add a new arrow to your quiver when working life returns to normal.

Slow Down and Breath:
It is important to ensure that you are working in a well ventilated room, just opening the window and taking a moment to breathe can be a vital part of refreshing your mind for the rest of the working day in the middle of so much chaos.

Social Media:
Social media is a constant for us in this day and age, and particularly during such a bizarre scenario as our current emergency is, it is often infecting every moment of our lives. When working from home it may be tempting to get sucked into the world of social media. Whilst taking breaks for brain space is advised, social media may be a rabbit hole we do not want to fall into.

We hope that this information will be of benefit to you during these difficult times. Whilst the landscape of our working lives may have changed for the time being, we here at Ecovis DCA are a constant and always available for you.A Guide to Working At Home…