By Daniel Steinzeig

Some may love it, some may hate it, but working from home is quickly becoming the norm for jobs worldwide. COVID – 19 put a strain on jobs and businesses in almost every profession and caused many employees to shift to remote workplaces.

Studies show that before the COVID – 19 pandemic, only 6% of employees worked primarily from home, and about 75% of employees had never worked from home. Since the pandemic, 70% of full-time workers are now or have been working remotely.

Working from home is a new long-term reality for many people, and it has its challenges. If you are one of the new home-based workers or if you supervise employees based at home, here are some tips on making it all work.

Stick to What You Know
Change can be tough for some to deal with, so as employers, helping your employees feel as comfortable as possible during this transition is critical. One way of doing this is sticking as closely as possible to typical office culture, even while at home. Dressing professionally and sticking to a morning routine are good ways to help things feel normal and make it easier to stay productive.

Communicate
Communicating with employees and supervisors is extremely important, and even more so when working remotely. Working from home means no more face-to-face meetings and no more random check-ins. However, just because there is no office does not mean regular communication should cease. Employers should schedule frequent meetings with employees remotely, whether one-on-one or in group meetings. These meetings can even be labeled as “coffee breaks” to keep things light and informal. Using video calls is a great way to communicate with co-workers and still get that “face-to-face” interaction.

Create an Environment to Focus
Find a quiet place in the home to work, and make arrangements so that you are not interrupted regularly by a spouse, children or roommate. Make sure your chair is comfortable and supports good posture. Set an ambiance to make your work environment pleasant – subtle music, a candle, aromatherapy – set a relaxing but productive environment where you enjoy spending time.

Self-Care
Take care of yourself! Change is already difficult, so there is no need to make it harder. Practicing self-care is a must, especially when working from home. Take scheduled breaks throughout the day. Get some fresh air after sitting at the desk for too long, or maybe move around and get a change of scenery. Moving around and breaking up the day helps workers stay refreshed and productive. Working from home is a big transition, so try not to be too hard on yourself or your employees. Feeling lonely, isolated and anxious is normal, and it just takes some time to get used to it.

This blog is published by TrustPoint Insurance & Real Estate for our business clients. If you need help with business insurance or bonding, contact an agent at TrustPoint Insurance & Real Estate today.