Changes will be Permanent
We will not go back to things as they were after this pandemic. Not everyone is going to regain their jobs. Organisations are going to see they can reduce costs by having more people work from home.
As HR professionals we need to start planning for the new world.
On-line Learning Resources Available
With so many people working from home and with face-to-face training stopped in its tracks, many clients are developing online learning solutions. These are likely to remain when the Covid-19 virus is under control.
Our large network of instructional designers is ready to meet these needs.
Tips for Working from Home
I have worked remotely for years. Here are some practices my team and associates found useful in terms of personal satisfaction and productivity. Some may be new to you, while others are known to you. We often need reminding to do what we know we should be doing.
Separate work from home in your mind
Our thoughts are in many ways, reality. That is why the same situation is interpreted differently by various people. Mixing home and work indiscriminately has negative effects on both. Technology is available 24 hours a day. We get very worn down if we are partially working all day and night. The novelty of having a former office working family member at home soon wears off when they are often tuned out or irritable about being disturbed. We have to have a clear delineation between work and non-work.
Dedicated workspace
It is surprising how even a small space can become a safe workspace. Consider making some physical changes to signal to yourself that this is where you work.
e.g. When I first started, I worked in the corner of our garage with paper blinds differentiating the “office” from cars, tools and junk.
It is tempting to lie in bed or sit on the couch working on a laptop, but this dilutes the “work/family” distinction in your brain. A secluded corner in the garden works well for some.
We must teach small children that “Mummy or Daddy are in their office and are working, and not to be disturbed”.
Working hours
It is helpful to you, your work colleagues and your family to have specific work hours. Without these there is a temptation to work too long or too little if you don’t have a routine. If you make yourself available at all hours your organisation and clients will expect you to always be there when they want you for something. This is disruptive to families and leads to personal stress because one is focusing on work too much. The opposite can also happen, especially if you live on your own. Unhealthy habits can develop such as binge watching, gaming, or being up at night and asleep during the day. If one is not “at work” it is easy to be distracted into jobs around the home. I recommend you also be disciplined when “at home”. Value the time with family and friends. You do not need to take calls when you are at dinner. Call people back. Conversely, try to educate family members not to intrude when you are “at work”. This is not easy with small children. Don’t fuss too much if you are on a video call and a child enters the scene. Reasonable people understand. Their input can even be amusing because we see a human side to the businessperson, we are accustomed to working with.
Face-to-face contact
It helps to prevent a sense of isolation if one is having video contact with others. It also aids communication, especially of feelings. I have recently switched from Skype to Zoom to manage our family relationships. Zoom is easy to use, and it is useful to see everyone in the discussion at the same time – including oneself!
e.g. At a recent family discussion which went on a tad too long for my liking, I noticed my own attention straying and had to make an effort to look interested. When I made the effort to wind the meeting up I saw my daughter in law’s wry smile – she clearly was on to me. Using a mobile phone on speaker is good for situations when you want to talk and do something else at the same time. (Too much information?)
Work resources
Get all the tools you need to work efficiently. Learn new software and the apps that are useful to you. When using video technology, do be aware of how you look. If it is a business discussion, best not to be in a dressing gown. I have seen someone pick their nose during a Skype meeting because they forgot their camera was on. Be mindful of what is behind you. Lighting is worth considering. I once interviewed an applicant who looked like a mafia boss because the light was behind him and his face was hard to see.
Reduce distractions
Turn off unnecessary alerts. Do you really need to hear every bit of news the moment it happens? A steady stream of alarming news on Covid-19 is not good for your mental health. What is the risk of waiting for major news bulletins?
Wait until after work to respond to non-urgent personal call, emails and tweets. Respect your colleagues time as well. Identify when they are working and what their communication preference is.
e.g. I like being disturbed by short jokes or cartoons.
Diet
Now that the cookie jar is only a few steps away, it is much easier to snack all day. A glass of wine with lunch goes down well, but would you do this at work? Naturally we all need to eat healthily.
Exercise
It is easy to slip into slothful habits when working from home. Include exercise in your day. With gyms being closed, consider switching over to using one of the many exercise programs on YouTube. This can be a good family activity. Consider working standing or leaning on a barstool. Without meetings, chats with colleagues, there is a risk that we will spend much more time sitting. This is very bad for our backs. You do not need a special stand up desk for this. Just put a covered box on your normal work surface. You can even do some moves listening to music while no-one is watching. (I am tapping away to Booker T and the Onions while typing this. Oh of course, you are probably too young to know who I am referring to……)
Manage mental health
We are social animals, so need to actively manage our mental health. Goals, routine, diet, exercise, face time with friends and colleagues, caring for others, being available for family and friends, doing a good job, all work together to being happy and productive.
There are exceptions to all the tips above. There are additional practices, such as spiritual practice, not mentioned.
Do what works for you
There are exceptions to all the above, so reflect and think through what works best for you.
Quote of the Month
“This crisis will pass, but you will still be here afterwards.”