Working remotely during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic may have turned the future of work to a new direction. While organizations are gradually bringing employees back to office, most of the workforce continues to work remotely rather than reporting to the physical office space. While work at home continues, employees are trying to balance work, home, and parenting responsibilities (hybrid schooling or household chores). Working from home can make one feel unstructured, inefficient, and isolated.

Here are some tips to be efficient:

1. Communicate expectations effectively and clearly

At work, when you communicate with your colleagues, manager, and team members, be clear on what is expected of you and if there are any deadlines. Utilizing mobile instant messaging apps when possible, or communicating via Zoom or Teams, are good ways of seeking clarifications to complete your work rather than waiting for scheduled formal meetings. You could also propose short 10-minute team meetings at the start of the day and to wrap up the day for quick updates. Reach out to your colleagues and co-workers periodically to stay connected and to avoid feeling isolated.

2. Organize your day

While some might enjoy their time at home, others may feel lost and unproductive. People may feel overwhelmed and fall back on going into a ‘pause’ mode, leading to procrastination and unorganized days. Create a plan and STICK TO IT! Schedule all the things you would like to do in your day. Include exercise and a time to switch off all screens at the end of the day. Use alarms and reminders to keep track of time and ensure you stop, take a break, and reset.

3. Treat it like a real job

Just because you can work in informal clothing (pajamas/exercise joggers etc.) it doesn’t mean you should. Instead of logging in to work lying in bed with your laptop, take a shower and get dressed as if you were actually leaving for work. This may help with your productivity during the day.

4. Create a dedicated workspace

Try to find a corner at home and recreate your workspace with a desk and chair where you can work without distractions. You can also use a professional virtual background if you are not comfortable showcasing your home workspace - Zoom and Teams have several in-built templates. You can also get creative and use appropriate personal photos as virtual backgrounds. These also serve as great conversation starters at the beginning of meetings!

5. Take care of your ergonomic needs

Extended laptop use could be harmful, especially if your posture is not correct. Ensure your ergonomic needs are met as much as is realistically possible. Solutions could include buying an ergonomic keyboard, mouse, desk, and/or chair, installing proper lighting in your workspace, maintaining good posture and wearing glasses if required.

6. Stay socially connected too

Make time to socially connect with family, friends, and colleagues to improve your mood and morale. Set up a monthly schedule to virtually get together with family, friends, and colleagues. You could just have simple conversations or you could be more creative and engage in game nights, such as with virtual board games or trivia quizzes. Many activities can now be adopted into a virtual format. You can also find a hobby or activity that would be of interest to you.

Sources
BBC: Work from home the right way
Harvard Business Review: 15 questions about remote work answered
The Guardian: How do I set up an ergonomic home office

Contributors: Ms. Raji Anand, Dr. Sohaila Cheema and Dr. Sathyanarayanan Doraiswamy

Editing: Mr. John Hayward