“If you feel sick, stay home.” A phrase we are hearing repeatedly and one to take very seriously. There is no reason to consider coming to the office if you or a loved one is feeling ill.
It is encouraged that you take some time to understand the several resources you can utilize when working from home, and learn how to best manage your time and be productive.
Make sure you and your devices are prepared to work remotely.
Learn how to connect to your company’s VPN, and bring home any materials you might need to work effectively such as your laptop charger, headset or earbuds with a microphone.
Identify what needs to get done and make sure to do it.
Make a list of priorities and cross them off once they are accomplished. Set calendar alerts to keep your day on track. Come up with a process to keep yourself accountable.
Get up and get dressed.
Just because you are working at home doesn’t mean you can sleep in and work from your bed. Set your alarm for its regular time and go through your morning routine just as if you were going into the office.
Organize a workspace where you can focus.
If you are fortunate enough to have a home office, perfect! If not, find a space in your home free from distraction and structured enough to keep you alert.
Set expectations with children, spouses and roommates.
If you do not regularly work from home, those around you could interpret this as a vacation day. Be clear with your loved ones that your attention will need to be on work. The following is an idea proposed in an article by Inc.: Hang or tape colored construction paper on your office door. Use red paper when you cannot be disturbed, yellow when they should check first and green when it is okay to come in.
Schedule virtual meetings.
Virtual meetings are important in getting work done. Pick up the phone, Skype and use Webex, Zoom or Google Hangouts to check in with your manager and colleagues. Meetings can and should continue as scheduled.
Give yourself a break.
It is important to schedule short breaks throughout your day, including for lunch. Working from home, you might not have the pleasant distraction of a colleague coming to say hello or proposing a coffee break, so you need to take it upon yourself to make some coffee or tea, eat lunch or take a lap around the house to get your steps in.
Know when to power off.
Just as you woke up and maintained your morning routine, it is important to sign off at a healthy time to enjoy your evening. Set a time to power off and stick to it.
As we are learning more about the ever-changing environment of COVID-19, it is acceptable and encouraged that if you or a loved one feel sick or if you feel uncomfortable going to work, that you take advantage of the opportunity to work remotely from your home.
Source: https://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/get-more-done-18-tips-for-telecommuters.html