Tips For Working From Home

As COVID-19 forced many people to suddenly work from home, many people had questions about how to do this.  At SC Data Center and our affiliate companies, we created a simple Q&A sheet to help with the transition.

What are the biggest challenges of remote work?

·      Feeling isolated, lonely, or bored. Working remotely often means social interaction is limited.

·      Feeling less motivated without your co-workers around.

·      Dealing with distractions around the house that just don’t exist at work – children, pets, that load of laundry that needs done…

·      Ending your day. With the work always there, it might be hard to stop working or take breaks. 

·      Finding ways to work with your team. At the office, it is easy to turn around to talk to someone or walk over to their desk. 

What are some of the benefits?

·      It is often easier to focus at home.  There are less distractions from co-workers, side conversations, people stopping by your desk, and even meetings. You might be more productive.

·      You will save time and reduce stress by not having to commute to work.  

·      You will also save money on gas. 

What tools have your teams used that you’ve found to be most effective?

·      Microsoft Teams is our first choice. If you have not tried it, it is great! You can easily “chat” to discuss items with your team, “tag” people to catch their attention, share your screen, share and collaborate on documents, hold meetings, and more. 

·      Skype also gives you the ability to meet or chat. 

·      Talking to someone is better than sending an email. So, a phone call or conference call is simple but very effective.

Where does communication have a tendency to fall short?

When you are not face-to-face, communication can be very hard. You lose the visual cues and often tone of the message. It’s harder to have a discussion.

The chart at the right shows different types of communication and how effective these are. Email is less effective than a phone conversation because you lose tone, can read it differently than the sender intended, and lose the immediate feedback. Because of this, talk to someone rather than write whenever possible.

With that said, there are times when an email is best. Use email when you need a written record or might want to refer back to the information. 

In general, a good rule of thumb is to over-communicate. We usually aren’t communicating as well as we think. Communicate what you are working on, any challenges, and your wins or successes. Message or call someone when you need help or to talk through a problem. Don’t wait day(s) for the next scheduled meeting.

How often should you be checking in with your leader?

We recommend that you at least say “hi” every day. However, talk to your leader about what frequency will work best for you both. A short daily check-in might make sense. Or, you might choose to talk every other day. Do not wait longer than two or three days without checking in. It is important that you and your leader stay on the same page. You will also want your leader to be aware of what you are working on and adjust priorities as necessary. Over-communicate what you are working on and any challenges.

Tips to stay focused and productive?

1.     Set a schedule. Keeping a routine will help you stay productive. Plan out when to start work, when to take breaks, and when your day ends. You might want to set up specific times when your co-workers know you will be available to answer questions and collaborate. A sample schedule might look like:

·      8:00 AM – start work

·      10:00 AM – 15-minute break

·      Noon – 30-minute lunch

·      2:30 PM – 15-minute break

·      5:00 PM – end of day

2.     Focus during your scheduled work times. During your break times, go for a walk, get a snack, or play with your pet or child. Set an alarm so that your 15-minute break doesn’t turn into 2 hours. 

3.     Get dressed like you are going to work. Sorry, no wearing pajamas all day!

4.     Schedule a short daily meeting to check in with your team and/or manager.

5.     It sounds like common sense, but no TV and no social media during your workday. These are too distracting. It’s also easy to have a 15-minute break turn into 2 hours.     

What should your “home workspace” look like?

You really don’t need a lot:

·      Your computer (laptop or desktop)

·      Monitor

·      Keyboard and mouse

·      Comfortable, ergonomic chair

Consider using noise-cancelling headphones particularly if other family members or pets will be home with you.

If possible, choose a wired Internet connection rather than WIFI. WIFI will be less reliable and might “drop” your connection. 

Identify a quiet space you can use when you are on the phone. If your space allows, have a separate workspace, preferably with a door you can close. Let family or roommates know that when you are there, you are at work.

Working from home will be an adjustment. It also might be a great experience. Focus and quiet time can be a challenge in a busy office environment. You might find that you can get a lot more done now that you are working from home. If you have questions, problems, or are just lonely, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to make this as positive as possible!