Working from home for the first time?

So you are like many others being asked to work from home due to Coronavirus or COVID-19. Where do you start? What do you need to think about to make an effective transition?

I've been working from home since 2006. I remember very well the struggles that my wife and kids had when I transitioned. Up until that point I was only home during evenings and weekends, so I disrupted the home life. I had a separate office off of the master bedroom and a phone with an intercom function, so I told my wife just to pretend like I wasn't there - call me on the phone like she would when I worked outside of the house and I would just pretend like I was at the office for my normal 8-5 schedule. Well, it is a good theory, but doesn't really work in practice. My wife was always concerned about making sure that I was being thought of - like making me lunch, making sure I had plenty to drink, etc. When the kids broke something she would just pop in to tell me which broke my train of thought on the code I was writing and things got pretty tense for both of us. She described it perfectly by saying that when I was home, it was like a weekend where they all relaxed their schedules and so things just didn't get done like they did before. So, if you will be working from home with a spouse and kids, or even roommates or friends, expect some difficulty and lay a few ground rules, then give each other grace. It is a process, but you'll find that you are probably more effective in getting your work done than you would have been in the office, anyway.

Second thing - invest in your setup. A few small expenses go a long ways. I have a $20/month hot spot that I use as a backup internet option. It is very frustrating when you cannot get online for instant messaging, screen sharing, or other activities that show you are actively engaged and not just "working from home" to avoid working. My office chair for the past 8 years or so has been an exercise ball that can be bought for under $20 and keeps me balanced, a little bit active, and my back doesn't hurt after a long day. Make sure your phone is clear, has a good signal, and allows for calling into conference lines. If you need to update your cell phone plan, do it - you're saving the transportation cost of going to work so don't be stingy with your savings. If your cell phone just doesn't get good signal, check around and see how much a land line would be. Yes, they are old school, but nothing beats the reliability and clarity of POTS (plain old telephone service). If you don't use ergonomic keyboards and mice, I would highly suggest that you upgrade your home setup. I've been in IT for over 20 years and haven't had any issues with my wrists or hands, but if I use a regular mouse for any period of time I can feel the strain. While they are a little bit odd, I suggest looking at a "vertical mouse" which keeps your hand in a more natural position. Be ready to knock it over a few times when transitioning back to your keyboard because they are tall and a bit odd, but your body will thank you later. An ergonomic wireless mouse and keyboard will probably cost a minimum of $50-100, but if you can deal with wired versions you should be able to shave some costs.

Set yourself some boundaries so you don't get distracted - like making sure the TV isn't in view or is turned off, that you have some schedule you will adhere to, and get up a little early, get ready for the day as if you were leaving the house, and take care of yourself. If you have to sleep in a little and can shift your schedule don't be afraid to do it, but let your team know when you get online that you'll be available a little later in the day and keep yourself accountable. Be honest if you have some struggles - your teammates that are being affected are likely having similar issues and it helps to get those out in the open and see what is effective for other people.

One of the hardest things I had to deal with was finding a way to keep background noise low while I was on conference calls (I have 8 children and have had up to 5 additional house guests living with me at times). This requires some creativity, but it can be done. I've stepped away from my desk and gotten into a car in the garage or parked on the street, put my head between the clothes hanging in the closet, and even left the house completely to go somewhere quiet for important calls. The mute button is your friend, so make sure it is easy to get to quickly and to verify it is active whether on the phone, switches on headsets, or muting your microphone on your computer for conference calls. Be ready for some distraction, but when you need it to be quiet for important meetings make sure everyone in the house understands what you expect and after a few rehearsals, people in the house should start to respect the request. A few quick hand signals for people headed in your direction help, as well, so work on those verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

While it is sometimes a tough transition, I have found the journey extremely rewarding and I see working from home as one of the most important benefits in any job I consider. It keeps you close to the people that matter the most and you get to see details of their lives that you would otherwise be oblivious to. So, don't fear the transition - embrace it and make the most of it.

Stay safe out there, and let's keep this thing from being any worse than it has to be. You may actually find that working from home is the silver lining you've been looking for amidst all of this chaos!