The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed our lives in many ways. Most notable is the surge in telecommuting for those fortunate enough to have jobs that can be performed from home.
Although working from home is nothing new – this week, Indeed.com listed almost 50,000 available remote jobs nationwide – it is a different world for those accustomed to a 9-to-5 office lifestyle. With that in mind, here are a few tips for employees starting their telecommuting adventure.
Stick to a regular schedule
Don’t sleep in until minutes before you need to start your day. You still have a routine to follow; you’re just not having to drive or take public transport to work. Get a good breakfast, catch up on the morning news, maybe even get in a short workout. Some even dress the way they would for work, although that might be taking it a bit far. Sooner or later, many of us will be going back to the office and staying in a near-normal routine will make that transition much easier.
Just say no to Netflix
The thing you’ll quickly discover is there are a lot of distractions at home. Sure, you don’t need to worry about someone stopping by your office for idle chatter but there’s always TV, podcasts, Spotify, you name it. While original program and live sports are going to be in short supply, the streaming services we love so much will always be there. Just wait until after hours to indulge.
Don’t lose connections
We all know how important it is to keep up with customers. They often are looking for solutions that your business can provide. Just as vital is ensuring that our teams stick together through tough times. Many businesses have services like Skype or Zoom that allow enable us to have videoconferences. Camaraderie is vital to any organization and social distancing shouldn’t interfere. Hop on and hold regular updates with your team. It’s also a great way to share more best practices during our new reality of working remotely.
West Press’ talented staff is here to help you each step of the way — from graphic design to printing to mailing services to large format to website development. Contact West Press or your Account Executive at 520-624-4939 today.