Our Changed Workplace

There’s been a lot of talk here lately about remote work. What’s the value? It is important to keep doing our jobs remotely when almost every business, office and government institution is “back to normal?” For many, doing our jobs remotely has shown that we’re more productive than if we went to the office. And that’s good, because productivity is a key measure of business success.

Other positive aspects of working remotely include decreased commute times and automobile wear and tear, savings on work clothes and cleaning bills, no need to buy lunches, and the ability to directly care for children or elders. If you’re still working remotely, here are some tips to stay productive, whether you’re the one working from home, you supervise those who do, or both!

Reliable Tech is Vital. A stable, consistent internet connection is vital for anyone working remotely, and anyone wanting to supervise remotely. In addition, the ability to take video calls requires a camera, good speakers, a big screen (or two) and a microphone. If working from home means being around kids or pets, noise canceling headphones can be a lifesaver. As an employer, providing up to date computers/laptops is also a must, loaded with the programs and features employees need to do their job successfully.

Dedicated Workspace: A dedicated workspace is the first step to success. How big or small that space is depends on your work style and duties. Do you normally need lots of space to work on projects? Consider a garage, spare room or your kitchen table. But remember, video calls show your background, so think about that – or use a filter that blurs or substitutes a background for you.

Make it Comfortable: Good lighting (natural or otherwise), an ergonomic office chair, photos and a plant or two will make any workspace comfortable. Another perk of working remotely is that you can choose your background music without disturbing others, or work in silence if that suits you better. Everyone is more productive and engaged when they’re at ease!

Set Boundaries: It’s easy to work all the time when work and home are in the same place, but one great part of working remotely is the flexibility to work whenever you are most productive. Be careful about letting clients and coworkers know they can reach you any time of day or night, though. Let your family know when you need to be left alone by closing the door or putting up a sign that says come back later. And do the same with your coworkers and boss. Shared online calendars and auto replies are great ways to let people know when you’re occupied and won’t be available.

Keep a Routine: Every boss appreciates and values reliable staff. But just because work and home are now the same doesn’t mean you should let them blur together. Get to your remote workstation at a regular, consistent time, take breaks and lunch on a schedule and develop the habit of officially “logging off” at the end of the day. Then turn off email and text notifications when the day is done. You won’t be tempted to check in. Unless it’s an emergency, keep regular office hours, and stay away from your workspace, just like you would if you were in your place of business. Keeping them separate will help you keep your sanity.

Embrace the Perks! The blurring of work and home means you’ve got to give yourself permission to enjoy being at home. If your job allows, working in leisure clothing means less wear and tear on your “fancy” clothes. Keeping a fitness routine, taking periodic stretches and coffee or tea breaks, is easier, too. Working remotely means you could be free to schedule appointments during the work day, or work from a location other than your home or city, as well. Because as long as you hit your goals, does it matter where you physically are? Just make sure to travel safely and don’t shirk your work obligations.

Communication is Key: The key to success in any role is keeping the communication flowing. Just because you’re no longer sitting at the next desk over is no reason to stop talking with your coworkers, your boss, or those you supervise. Make sure to schedule phone or video check-ins on a regular basis to better connect on your business goals, any upcoming projects and daily tasks to make sure you stay on top of things Slack, MS Teams, and Google Meet are great tools you can utilize to help.

Now that so many of us are regularly working remotely, life looks different – and maybe better. Maybe you or your employees are more productive without workplace distractions, or maybe it allows you to spend more time with your family. It’s important to remember we’re all in this together. Just sayin’.

Published: New Mexico Apartment News Magazine – Mar/Apr 2023