5 Simple yet effective tips to work from home

With work from home (WFH) being mandated across so many industries its important for employees to know how to work in this new paradigm.

Here according to me, are a few simple but critical tips employees who are working from home should maintain so as to ensure that they continue to build trust and accountability with their managers.

 1)     Ensure that you have the necessary infrastructure: This is really important because, without this it becomes really challenging to work effectively. Infrastructure includes having a computer that enables you to work effectively, uninterrupted power (electricity) supply, and a reliable internet connection that can help you go online. It’s also important to have a quiet place where you can take calls, meetings from. You should also learn how to deal with distractions like household chores, distractions from family, guests who pop in.

2)     Inform your availability to all: Some people who are WFH are doing so because they have important tasks or activities to juggle along with their work (like picking up their kid from daycare or being away to attend an important doctor’s appointment, etc). In these cases, you should inform your manager that you would not be available at these times, so that in case meetings or discussions need to happen, they can be planned accordingly.

3)     Ensure that commitments and tasks are met: You should ensure that you meet all commitment, deadlines and project schedules. Working from home means that you have to have extra commitment to meet these. If it means stretching your work timings, so be it. WFH is a wonderful flexibility that some organizations give it employees, so you need to ensure that that you use it judiciously and are fully accountable.

4)     Stay connected with the organization: Many times, because we are working from home, we are tempted to skip regular sync up meetings, status update meetings, stand-up calls, etc. Don’t do this. Its always a good idea to be connected and in touch with what’s happening with our teams and our company.

5)     Ensure that you take periodic breaks: Just as in the office, you would take a regular coffee break, so do this too when you are working at home. You might also want to schedule a 10 minute “catch-up” break with some of your colleagues where you can all connect online, switch on your video, have a cup of coffee and catch up. Just like you would in office.

 So, by following these simple yet important tips, I think that working from home, can be come effective and beneficial for you as well as your organization.