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07 Apr 2020

Working from home: how to help employees stay productive and connected

The recent and ongoing situation with COVID-19 has led to thousands of employees working from home for the first time. Many organisations might find themselves wondering how to manage this new and unprecedented situation.

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In recent years, technology has changed the way that we work, allowing us to hire remote workers and to stay connected even when we can’t work side by side in an office. In the face of the COVID-19 outbreak, companies who have the ability to allow their employees to work remotely are taking the opportunity for the safety and wellbeing of their workforce.

Working from home is a skill that doesn’t come naturally to everyone. When faced with daily distractions from children, pets and jobs around the house, it can be difficult to focus on work. If you are asking yourself how to give your workforce the right guidance to be productive while working remotely, here are our tips on staying focused and connected when not in the office.

1. Add some structure to the day

Employees should follow their normal morning routine and “arrive” to work on time and ready to work. It’s also important to schedule time for breaks throughout the day and to put away your work when the business day is over to avoid burnout.

2. Dress the part

A part of maintaining a normal morning routine means being presentable. Rather than sitting in pyjamas, dressing as if you are going into work is an easy way to maintain some normality. Getting dressed for the office keeps employees connected to their work and helps create boundaries between time spent working and time spent relaxing at home.

3. Hold yourself accountable

Create a task list at the start the day to keep focused and to prioritise the things that need to get done. Refer to the list throughout the day and cross items off as they are completed. It may help employees to talk through their to-do list or share their goals for the day with a supervisor or a colleague over video chat.

4. Communication is key

When used correctly, technology can help us to collaborate and stay connected. Use the communication tools your organisation has at hand (like email, online collaboration tools and your wellbeing platform) to stay connected and share regular updates. Enable video during meetings to make it more personal and improve communication.

5. Make time to socialise

Don't underestimate the importance of chatting with your co-workers. Research from Gallup shows even small increases in social bonds can boost employee productivity. Make sure to catch up with your team members and manager on a regular basis.

6. The right environment

Setting up a dedicated workspace at home can help employees to reduce distractions and maintain work-life balance. Whether there is a dedicated room for an office or the kitchen table becomes a desk, it’s best to try to stick to a clean desk policy – it will help with staying focused. Employees should also be mindful of surroundings for virtual meetings (e.g. laundry drying in the background).

7. Schedule time for breaks

When working from home, it can sometimes feel like the expectation is to always be on-task and try to get work done as quickly as possible. However, to stay productive, it is important to take breaks and to be active throughout the day. Setting a regular reminder or using your wellbeing platform for accountability can help keep employees moving.

8. Unplug at the end of the day

Be sure to put work away and step away from the workspace when the day is over. Work-life balance is important to staying productive, reducing burnout, and returning to work refreshed and ready to tackle another day.

If you want more information and tips on keeping your employees engaged and connected during this time, you can download our ‘Working From Home Toolkit’.

This article is provided by Virgin Pulse.

In partnership with Virgin Pulse Inc

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