As organizations and economies continue to embrace the new “work-from-home culture” accelerated by the pandemic, we still need to address a few issues.

Many employers are still finding it hard to manage a working-from-home team and on the other hand, many employees are experiencing difficulties in balancing work life and personal life while working remotely.  But we get it; the transition was abrupt and many companies didn’t have the time, knowledge, and resources to adapt. Additionally, it takes time for everyone to learn and settle in to a new way of working.

However,  since ‘work-from-home’ is here to stay, we need to identify and implement best practices that will ensure we reap from the massive benefits of working remotely.

If you’re new to the idea of working from home (whether the pandemic forced you to adapt or you found a new remote work opportunity), this article is for you. We have some working from home best practices to help make your transition smooth. But first, let’s tell you some of the benefits of working from home.

Why should you consider working from home?

The pandemic was not (and is not) the only reason you should consider working from home. There are many benefits of working from home, including;

Flexibility and agility

When you are no longer tied to an office, you have a more flexible schedule. This means you can start work at any time you want, take breaks at any time, end work at any time (as long as you complete your day’s work as required). This gives you a better work-life balance allowing you to work while taking the time to attend to important personal matters like running some errands, dropping and picking up your kids from school, medical and other appointments, among other tasks.

However, it is important to note that not all work from home jobs have a flexible schedule. Some require you to ‘clock in’ and ‘clock out’ at specified hours.

Less commute stress

Imagine spending an hour or more commuting to your place of work or getting stuck in traffic for more than 30 minutes every morning? That’s a lot of time wasted, and that’s only one side of it.

Did you know that commuting to and from work every day can impact your physical and mental health? This is what it does to your body;

• It raises your blood sugar
• You have a high risk of depression
• Your cholesterol rises
• Your anxiety increases
• Declined happiness and life satisfaction

With zero commutes, you’ll be able to support your physical and mental health by;

• Getting some extra sleep
• Eating a healthy breakfast
• Exercising
• Spending some quality time with your family

… and much more.

Increased productivity and performance

When you work from home, you deal with less office politics, fewer interruptions, and lower noise levels. Adding to the lack of commute stress, your productivity and performance will likely go up.

Saving money

Most employees spend a lot of money on gas, car maintenance, parking fees, meals, transportation, and more. All these costs tend to add up. However, working from home allows you to reduce or cut  some costs entirely.

Companies also enjoy long-term cost savings including less fixed costs such as rent.

Working from home best practices

Here are some tips and best practices to make your remote work life better and more productive.

Choose (or create) a work area

Working from home gives you the freedom to work from anywhere (kitchen, bedroom, sitting room, garage, your local coffee shop). However, it’s essential to identify or create a specific work area. We understand not everyone has extra rooms in their houses to use as an office.

But that doesn't give you an excuse not to create one from the limited space you have. Moreso, you don’t need a whole room as your home office; you just need some space for your desk and chair.

How to create a dedicated home office space

If you work at a good workstation at home, you’ll be more productive than working on the couch, in the backyard, or from your bed. The good thing is that you have a lot of freedom and choice. You can set, decorate and furnish your home office just the way you want.

Find a good location

You don’t want to be working from your bed or couch (at least not all the time). Instead, a spot to set up a dedicated home office. It’s easier if you have a large house with an extra room (you’ll just pick one room and set up your office).

However, if you don’t have an extra room, get creative.

A good starting point will be unused corners in your bedroom, sitting room, or kitchen. Additionally, you could convert a large empty closet.

Who else uses the space?

As you’re setting up your office space, consider who else is using the space. For instance, if your spouse is also a remote worker, you could set up an office to accommodate two people.

If your work involves meeting clients, set a professional area where you can interact comfortably.

Add some privacy

Adding some privacy  to your home office helps you to separate your work life and your home life. If you have space constraints, get creative. For instance, you can get traditional privacy dividers that sit on the floor. Alternatively, you could just hang curtains on a rod or ceiling; they are inexpensive and lightweight.

Prioritize comfort

Many remote workers suffer from posture problems resulting from sitting for long hours on a desk without proper neck and back support.

To avoid posture problems,  prioritize comfort when setting up your home office. For instance, you should invest in an ergonomic office chair to offer the correct support when working for extended hours. A good ergonomic office chair should have the following features:

• Built-in lumbar support
• Adjustable armrest and backrest
• Height adjustable
• Adjustable seat depth
• 360-degree swivel base

In addition, you should get a good desk with the right height. Of course, you want something that fits your workflow, budget, and space, but it should contribute to your productivity.

Set a schedule (and stick to it)

The key to maintaining the work-life balance is creating a schedule and sticking to it (at least most of the time). Well, some days, you may have to adjust your schedule and start work early or close late.

When setting a schedule, start by identifying the times of the day (or night) when you're most productive. For instance, if you’re more productive in the morning hours, say between 8 am to 11 am,  set it as your work time.

Additionally, consider using automatic time tracking apps and software to help you stick to your schedule.

A schedule will ensure you don’t overwork or underwork.

Set some ground rules

To avoid constant interruptions when you’re busy at your workstation, set some ground rules for everyone in your household.

Your kids (even your spouse) need to know what they can or cannot do during your working hours. For instance, you don’t want your kids playing in the house during your busy times. Likewise, you don’t want your partner (or any family member) playing loud music while you’re working.

If you’re sharing your home office with another person, negotiate meeting times, quiet times, shared equipment like desks, printers, among other things.

Your friend or neighbors need to know when they can visit and what times you’re free. Just because you’re working from home doesn't mean you’re free and ready to welcome everyone.

Ground rules will help you maintain distance between yourself and your kids, spouse, or pets during working hours.

Take frequent breaks

Frequent breaks are essential, especially if your work is sedentary or computer-based. Stand up, stretch your legs and body and get the blood circulating.

Taking short, frequent breaks will;

• Help you process and retain information
• Increase or improve your creativity
• Cultivate healthier habits
• Increase your productivity
• Reduce stress
• Improve your mental health

If you often forget to take breaks, use an alarm to remind you when it's time.

Seek professional development

Spare some time for your professional development. This includes pursuing training and learning opportunities, both in-person and online.

Basic technical skills are a must-have for every remote worker. You don't have an IT guy down the hall to sort you.

Some of the most important skills for working from home include;;

• How to communicate and collaborate remotely with your team
• How to secure your information and networks (like using VPNs)
• Project and time management
• Software proficiency
• Common operating systems, and many more.

Last Word

Working from home comes with many benefits, both for the employee and the employer. Employees enjoy a lot more flexibility, less commuting stress, and save money. Equally, employers save money and also have a larger pool of talent to choose from when hiring.

However, using the above working from home best practices will help you to increase your productivity. Create a dedicated home office space, have a schedule, and set ground rules for everyone under your roof. In addition, you need some time for professional development. If you would like more tips or strategies to enjoy the work-from-home culture, seek help from employment experts.