7 Important Tips For Working From Home During This Coronavirus Pandemic

In light of the Coronavirus outbreak, most companies have been forced to implement mandatory or voluntary work from home policies as a way to protect the health of its workers.

 

While this is a smart decision to make by companies (health is wealth), the truth still remains that most workers and bosses will find it difficult to adapt to the option to work remotely, even if they have done it before.

 

If you have found yourself in this situation and are having a hard time adjusting to the whole work from home thing, here are 7 important tips for working from home during this coronavirus pandemic that will help you survive the coming weeks.

 

 

1.Create A Workspace Or Home Office

If you can’t go to your office, then you must bring your office to you. 

 

When working from home, choose a spot in your house where you can set up a mini office, complete with a table, chair, notebook, jotter and of course your laptop or computer.

 

Do all your work in that corner of your house or room and step out when you want to take a break or is done for the day.  No matter what you do, don’t use your bed as your office.

 

2.  Change Your Clothes

No one is asking you to change into a full on corporate attire while working from home, but changing out of your pyjamas into regular clothes will help a lot. It acts as a signal to your body that you are ready to wake up and get things done.

 

Other things you could do in terms of appearance is take a shower, brush your hair, and look presentable especially if you will be doing series of video calls or online meetings.

 

3. Stick To Regular Work Hours

If you work 8-5, that same routine should apply if you are working from home.

 

You can also take a one-hour break as you would if you were in the office, and dedicate the remaining hours to work.

 

Sticking to your regular work hours while working remotely is important because, apart from making sure you keep to time and execute all your tasks, it also helps you work out the best times to unplug or be done for the day, even if there is no one telling you to go home or stop working.

 

4. Find A Smooth Way To Transition Into Work

If you would normally work out, do some reading, listen to music, or drink coffee or before you can fully go into work mode, do the same thing before you start off your assignment for the day at home.

 

Get your mind ready and free it from all distractions. 

 

Remember, as you are cut off from your team, it is easy for you to slack off, so you have to find a way to keep going.

 

5. Communicate

Communication with your team shouldn’t be a problem, thanks to apps like Slack, Skype and even WhatsApp.

 

Make sure to download these apps on your phone if you haven’t already, and sign up on them.

 

Find out other apps you can use for effective communication, assigning and monitoring of projects, sharing of files, scheduling of social media posts, and video calls. Be prepared.

 

6. Form Healthy Habits

Don’t let staying at home make you too relaxed, that you forget to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

 

Eat right, take lots of healthy fruits that can build your immune system, and work out at home. 

 

You can also use this time to learn new skills, take online courses, and make your way through that reading list you have been putting off because you are busy.

 

7. Don’t Panic

With everything that’s happening in the world right now, it’s important that we all stay calm.

 

Stay informed, follow all the prescribed  health measures, and try not to panic.

 

You can also check out WHO's official website, for accurate information on Coronavirus.

 

 

While we wait for this virus to blow over, it is important that we all keep the wheels turning so that when it ends we can have something to rebuild from.

 

Stay safe, stay productive.

 

If your job has been affected due to coronavirus, and you are looking for a new work, visit myjobmag.co.za for online jobs you can apply for.