Published March 27, 2020

Remote Working: The Dos and Don’ts

Remote working has been gaining popularity in recent years, with more organisations offering employees the flexibility to work away from the office. But while the number of people regularly working from home had grown by 173% globally since 2005, the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis has recently resulted in a huge number of people switching to remote working at short notice. This is a big change for many professionals, particularly those now working at home for the first time in their careers.

 

These simple ‘dos and don’ts’ will help you stay productive and connected while working remotely.

 

Do: Structure your day.

Working from home can require more discipline to stay on task and manage your time effectively. Making a clear plan for your day can help you to stay focused and maintain productivity, with set times to tackle each task and catch up with your team.

 

Don’t: Allow yourself to get distracted.

Most people know they should avoid TV, games and social media while working, but there are other distractions at home too. Preparing a nice lunch or carrying out household chores may seem like quick tasks, but can easily eat into important work time. Try preparing meals the evening before, just as you would if you were taking lunch to the office, and saving other tasks for outside of work hours.

 

Do: Keep in regular contact with your team.

Communicating effectively with your colleagues is especially important when teams are spread out and working in different locations. Remember to keep your coworkers updated on your progress each day and use technology such as video conferences, audio calls and collaboration software to take part in virtual meetings and send important information.

 

Don’t: Forget to take breaks.

Stepping away from your screen to get fresh air or exercise is still important when working remotely. It can be harder to switch off from work when you don’t physically need to leave the office, but your wellbeing and work performance will suffer without regular breaks.

 

Do: Create a dedicated workspace.

Working from the sofa may seem appealing, but slouching for long periods will affect your spine and posture. Setting up a dedicated work area with a good chair will keep you more comfortable and focused, while also helping to maintain a work/life balance as you step away from your desk at the end of the day.

 

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Nikki Swift

Content Manager

Inspired Business Media