Years before the pandemic made working from home routine for millions, an increasing number of people have been saying “goodbye” to in-office workspaces. Thanks to ever-evolving technology, it’s no longer necessary to work full-time in a traditional white-collar environment.
However, while employees see the benefits of working from home, many employers see the headache of telecommuting, including an understocked remote space. To help ease your employer’s fears, create an effective workroom that promotes efficiency by adding the following.
How to Work Effectively From Home
To work effectively from home, you’ll need to stock your office with equipment that enhances your productivity. At the same time, you all need an ironclad work-from-home strategy.
1. Know the Ground Rules
What does your employer need from you before you can start working from home? Unless you build your own business, you’ll need to understand what your boss expects from you. Do they want you to work 9 to 5? Are you allowed to work on public Wi-Fi? What tech tools do you need to stay in touch? Make sure your employer spells it out for you to avoid confusion.
2. Buy Home and Contents Insurance
One sure way to protect your home office is by purchasing and comparing home insurance companies. Australians who purchase home insurance can cover the costs of repairing or replacing their house if unexpected damage occurs from storms, fire, and lightning. Contents insurance covers the structure of your home and everything inside it, like office equipment.
3. Create a Functional Workspace
One positive of working away from home is that you can separate your personal life from your professional one. This separation is one of the main reasons why office workers don’t have a designated home office, but it’s vital that you have a quiet space for you to work. If possible, separate your work area from your personal space to put you in “work mode.”
4. Get Needed Office Equipment
While a laptop and a couch may be fine for mindless scrolling, it won’t do you any favors during a legitimate work from home transition. If you’re serious about operating out of your home, buy a desk, two monitors, a comfortable keyboard, mouse, and chair. Depending on your comfort level or job position, you may also need a fax, printer, ethernet cable, and speakers.
5. Upgrade Your Internet Speed
Unless you play a lot of video games online or stream on Twitch, you probably have an average Internet speed. However, if you plan to work from home, you’ll need something much faster. Not because you necessarily need it for your job, but because you’re competing with your other family members for bandwidth. For super-fast speeds, connect an ethernet cable to your router.
6. Download Workplace Phone Apps
If your job position requires you to make international or long-distance calls, download apps like Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, or WhatsApp. These apps allow you to make calls over the Internet for free or at a low cost. Try to collaborate with your work to make sure all clients have to call from one service, as calls will be free if both parties use the same app.
7. Reduce Distractions
Just because you’re working from home, it doesn’t mean you’re on vacation. Still, your spouse, children, or neighbors may drop in on you during your workday, but you have to protect your time at all costs. If you hear jackhammering outside, wear noise-canceling headphones. If your children are at home without childcare, ask or pay someone to watch them for a few hours.
