Tips for Working Remotely

What is remote working?

Remote working is the concept of completing work tasks outside of a traditional office space. This can either be done at home or wherever an internet connection is prevalent. In the last few years, companies have been granting flexible work schedules to their employees by allowing them to work from home. This can be a foreign concept to those who don’t work a traditional office job, but to those who do, it can be very beneficial.

What are the benefits of remote working?

Working from home can be beneficial to many different types of people, and it can even increase productivity. While working from home, remote employees can save time commuting into the office and can save money on things like gas and food. For people with children, working remotely can also give them the opportunity to attend more of their kids’ activities such as sports games, recitals, concerts, and plays. Here are some additional benefits of working from home:

• It can help reduce stress: Stress can be triggered by constant movement and feeling as if you have no time to rest. Eliminating the daily work commute can result in lower stress levels, which can help you to have more control over your workdays.
• Remote work can help improve work-life balance: Having a good work-life balance can be something that many people desire. Working remotely can give individuals more time to spend with their families and friends which can be beneficial to their productivity and overall happiness.
• The ability to work from anywhere: Another benefit that comes with remote working is the ability to work from anywhere that has Internet access. Whether it’s a coffee shop, an airplane, or somewhere on the other side of the world, you can practically take your work anywhere.
• It can help with prioritizing your health and wellness: Health and wellness can have a large impact on your productivity and work quality. Working from home can make prioritizing health and wellness a little easier and can reduce stress. Whether you want to eat healthier, make more time to exercise, or focus on your mental health, working remotely can have a positive effect on your personal goals.
• Complete control over your office space: Customizing your workspace with things that make you happy can be a benefit to working from home. Picking out ergonomic furniture, shopping for office supplies, and organizing your space the way you want can be motivating which can increase productivity.

What are some tips for working remotely?

Whether you are a new hire who is taking on the work-from-home challenge or are experienced with working remotely, there are some tips to help you stay focused and confident in your abilities. It can be difficult to adjust or learn how to work from home, but there are plenty of things to try to improve on, even if you consider yourself a professional. Here are some productivity tips for remote workers:

• Stick to a schedule: Maintaining a schedule can impact a remote worker’s productivity. For example, you might be more productive if you wake up around the same time every day. Establishing a work routine can help reduce stress and can make the day go by faster.
• Take breaks: Taking breaks from looking at the computer or stepping away from a task to regroup can affect productivity. It can be healthy for remote employees to occasionally stand up to get the blood flowing which can keep energy levels up.
• Communicate effectively: Communicating effectively with co-workers and managers can be very important for those who work remotely. Since speaking face-to-face with those you work with isn’t always an option, being intentional with your communication methods can be essential to your day-to-day tasks.
• Dedicate space: Having a dedicated workspace can help a remote employee stay on task and can reduce distractions throughout the workday. If you have the space and the means, make your home office space a place where you feel inspired, motivated, and comfortable. Furniture and accessories like desks, swivel chairs, filing cabinets, and footrests can help improve ergonomics and overall organization for remote workers.
• Stay organized: Having a dedicated place for all of your office supplies and work things can be beneficial for remote employees. Not knowing where things are can cause stress and anxiety, especially if you are busy. Establishing an organizational system for all of your work-related belongings can help bring peace of mind.

What kinds of products are needed for a home office?

Just like traditional offices, home offices can require a variety of different products to help keep employees comfortable, on task, and organized. Here are some categories of products you might need while working remotely depending on your line of work:

Furniture

Furniture that you have at home can work but upgrading to more ergonomically focused furniture pieces can help with productivity and work efficiency. Electric standing desks, adjustable standing desks, and task chairs can all have a great impact on your posture and can help diminish back and neck pain. Having the option to stand while working can help stabilize blood sugar, reduce shoulder pain, and help you burn more calories throughout the day.

Technology

Besides the technology supplies that your employer will give you, there are some additional tech products you might want to use while working from home. Monitors, monitor arms, webcams, and headsets are all examples of technology items that could be useful to have in your home office space.

Office Supplies

Office and organizational supplies can be useful to have while working from home for a variety of reasons. They can be helpful with keeping track and organizing tasks, appointments, and meetings. Printer paper, a desk calendar, Post-It Notes, pens, and desk organizers can all be great examples of things to have at your desk to help you stay on track while you work.

Does remote working improve productivity?

Productivity levels may increase for those who work remotely compared to those who work in an office. Depending on the type of person you are, getting tasks done at home with little to no distractions can result in being more efficient. Compared to working in an office surrounded by co-workers, it can be easier for some people to focus at home. This may reduce stress and positively impact your work-life balance.

Productivity levels can increase depending on how the employee feels in their work environment. Some people might prefer to be surrounded by co-workers for collaboration purposes, and some may thrive being in their own space and free of distractions. If your company has the means and the resources, asking employees which work environment they prefer to work in may be beneficial to the business.

How to keep workers engaged in a remote setting?

From time to time, it might become difficult to keep remote employees engaged in their work, but there are ways to re-spark their motivation. Unengaged employees might have a hard time sticking with the company for different reasons, so it’s important to prioritize their engagement levels. Challenging them, utilizing their skills, and valuing their opinions are some ways that could keep employees around for a longer period of time. Without micromanaging your employees, it can be possible to keep them on the right track when their desire to work slows down a bit. Here are a few tips for keeping remote employees engaged and on task:

• Praise them often: Giving praise when an employee does a good job on a project, or a task can keep them engaged in their work and excited to keep going. When employees hear encouraging things, it can help increase their motivation and can encourage them to do well.
• Allow them to have autonomy: Granting autonomy and flexibility when it comes to work-related tasks can keep an employee motivated, especially while working from home. Establishing trust with employees and hoping that their tasks get done without micromanaging can also impact their engagement levels.
• Try to ensure quality communication: Communication can be very important when it comes to relationships between co-workers. Establishing a good communication system can help employees to feel valued and heard, which can also impact their motivation and success rates. This is especially important for those who work remotely and don’t have the chance to meet face-to-face with co-workers or a manager on a regular basis.
• Encourage questions and clarification: Encouraging questions or concerns at any time can help with keeping employees engaged in their work. By asking questions, employees can learn new things and might gain insight into their work which can keep them committed to the task at hand.
• Provide incentives: If your budget allows for it, giving monetary or material incentives can impact employee motivation. Showing appreciation in the form of rewards can encourage an employee to keep up with their work which could lead to longer employment, great success, and job satisfaction. 

How to be Effective Working Remotely

Working from home can come with challenges, but it can also have many benefits. Learning to adapt and figuring out what works best for your employees can be difficult at first, but like many things, it takes time. If you primarily work from home or have employees who work from home, it can be helpful to encourage them to stay organized, stick to a schedule, take breaks when needed, and communicate their needs effectively. By considering these tips, working from home can have many benefits for your business and your employees.