Working From Home: Tips for Employees

In the last year, the concept of working from home went from something a select few were entitled to participate in, to a necessary measure in place to defend against this killer virus. Life in lockdown has been a challenging adjustment for most all of us. Having to adapt to this new way of living has forced many of us to encounter feelings of stress, boredom, and anxiety, which is completely normal. Along with parenthood or concerns regarding future job prospects, working from home can be a daunting experience. This simple guide will help you adjust to homeworking by providing steps to help you feel more at ease with this new reality.

To be an effective homeworker, you must begin by ensuring you continue to be an asset towards your employer. The following are a few measures to guarantee a continued positive relationship between yourself and your employers.

• Sharing Information-

Ensure you are communicating with your superiors. The lack of exposure to Management and decision makers can put you at a disadvantage because the recognition of time and effort is not always so apparent. So, make sure to keep them informed about what you are doing to maintain the trust between you.

• Collaboration-

This can be very difficult since we no longer have direct access to our colleagues, but collaboration is key for the successful execution of group-oriented task. It also enables you to learn from your peers and vice versa. Maybe a colleague has found a way to manage a task more effectively and could help you accomplish your goal faster, but make sure to be generous to others you work with; claiming all the credit when others contributed is rarely acceptable.

• Assertiveness-

Demonstrate your drive and willingness through your work and share your positivity and successes. Remain confident in your skills but do not attempt to overwork yourself to prove your capability. If something is too much for you to handle, make sure to inform your superiors of the situation. Your health matters above all.

• Able to deliver on time-

It is an understandably difficult situation and time management can be especially challenging. Do your best to deliver on time and be prompt when responding to emails/voicemails. If you require more time, send holding messages, and inform the proper channels of the situation prior to the deadline.

• Able to work independently-

Working from home means we have to work independently most of the time. Make sure you are comfortable with your own company but stay connected to your family and friends. Humans are a sociable species and being alone continuously can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, so developing a healthy work-life balance is imperative. 

• Ask for clarity-

The inability to communicate directly or pick up on facial cues can make it difficult to anticipate exactly what is required of you. If there is something you are unclear about make sure to ask. It will save you the trouble of doing a job twice and coming off as incompetent to your superiors.

• Offer assistance to teammates-

As cheesy as it sounds, we truly are in this together. If one of your peers is struggling with this adjustment and you are in the position to offer your support, doing so could help you both thrive, develop a support system and even create additional opportunities.

• Dedicate A Workspace-

It is best to have a separate room or space to work in that can be closed off from the rest of the house to avoid distractions and prepare you for a day of work. This will also help when setting boundaries at home. Make sure to obtain an appropriate desk and chair as this will help enhance productivity.

• Create boundaries-

Home must not intrude with work but the same is true in reverse. Do not feel pressured into allowing work to interfere with your personal time. Make it clear to colleagues and family when you are on work time and when you are on home time.

• Get Dressed & Look Presentable –

You may have to take a call via Lync/Zoom so make sure to always be presentable. Additionally, getting ready in the morning can help mentally prepare you for a day of work, even if you are still at home.

For more insightful information on this and more, contact us for your FREE initial consultation with one of our HR specialists on [email protected]            

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