During the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of employees working remotely has risen significantly. Even before the pandemic occurred, flexible working was an increasing trend for HR, as more workers want to have more control over their work/life balance. The 2019 IWG Global Workplace survey found that in 2019, 61% of global companies allow their employees to work from home. However, 2020 has seen an even bigger rise in this percentage as most will be working remotely where possible during the Coronavirus Outbreak.
We want to ensure that HR teams are prepared for the challenges ahead, and that they can help their team feel more motivated and are still delivering to a high standard, even when working from home. So, we thought we’d share with you some of our top tips for a successful day working from home:
Make a to-do list
When working from home, employees will not have their typical routine and may become less productive. We would suggest writing to-do lists to outline your tasks every morning, and this should help to keep you on track for the day. Writing down your overall objectives on your to-do list is also a good way to be reminded of what is required from you whilst remote working, and what it is you are working towards!
Stick to a Routine
As mentioned, it is easy to fall out of routine when working from home. However, falling out of your usual office routine doesn’t mean you can’t create a new remote working routine. I know some of us may be guilty of working from home in our pyjamas – but setting your alarm earlier means you could get up and get dressed, have breakfast and prepare for the day ahead.
Have a designated working area
It is important for normal life to not become too big of a distraction when employees are working from home – things like smart phones, TVs or even just other family members can derail the focus for employees. Having a specific area where you work will help you get into a better mindset and avoid those small daily distractions. Additionally, this will help keep work and home life apart. During times like this, it can be difficult not to let them both fade in to one – which will not be good for employees’ morale.
Ask for help
When working remotely, you may feel like you are getting less support from your work peers due to not being physically around them. However, as a team, it is more important than ever to support one another when you face challenges, so don’t be afraid to reach out to a colleague for help. This improves team working skills, and also makes sure that no one is left suffering in silence at home!
Keep in touch!
Communication plays a huge part in the success of a business, so keeping in touch with your colleagues, whether that be over the phone, email or even video chats, is vital at this time. Putting time aside each week for catch-up calls is a great way to ensure employees do not feel isolated or lonely at home, and will also help things run a lot smoother.
