10 Feb Best Tips for Remote Workers

The global pandemic brought on by the coronavirus known as COVID-19 caused many companies to have to resort to remote work to be able to keep their doors open. For most workers, the initial concept of working from home sounded ideal. More time with family and children, a comfortable setting, a better balance of work-home life, and a more flexible schedule. Having remote workers has even shown to be beneficial for most businesses in the United States. According to one study, companies that allow remote work experience 25% less employee turnover than companies that do not allow it.

However, with time came the challenges of working from home. Working in a remote setting can make things a bit too comfortable, posing certain challenges for remote workers. Distractions, especially for employees that have children, can mount up on a daily basis and the comfortable style of working from home can sometimes have an effect on the amount of work that gets done on a daily basis. In this article, we’ll be giving some useful tips to help remote workers stay focused and create a better working environment from their home office.

Tip #1: Create a Separate Space for Work

A big part of working from home is the workspace in which you operate. As a remote worker, it can be difficult to find your perfect space to work in. Working on the couch may seem comfy at first, but over time it can become increasingly uncomfortable sitting in awkward positions and having to type. It can also come off as unprofessional if you’re in meetings throughout the day. Within your home, find a space that works best for you and gives you the ability to have a true “home office” and a dedicated workspace.

Create your own office complete with a small desk, comfortable work chair, artwork, plants, and proper lighting. Amazon and IKEA offer great smaller office desk collections that are durable and affordable. Both companies also offer a wide selection of office chairs and decorations to make your home office feel more like home. Having a comfortable space to work in can help with productivity and make the remote work life a bit easier.

Tip #2: Create a Routine and Stick to It

One of the most difficult parts of being a remote worker is being out of the office environment where you would normally have a routine in the mornings. For example, perhaps your morning routine started with getting your cup of coffee, checking any calls or emails that may have come through from the previous day, and then responding to customers or coworkers. While you still could carry this same routine into your remote work life, sometimes it doesn’t always work out that way. Without a routine, distractions can mount up and getting off-task can become increasingly easier.

Creating a to-do list or a task list before you end your workday is a great way to get your next morning started on the right foot. Following your regular morning routine at home, which could include exercising before work, making breakfast and coffee, and getting dressed, is a great way to start your workday off strong and maintain a positive and productive attitude all day long.

Tip #3: Take Your Break!

Working remotely means you don’t have to worry about taking breaks during the day. However, there’s nothing wrong with taking a break once in a while. Taking a few minutes every hour or so to stretch, take a walk around the block to get some natural light, have some personal time, or grab some grub can help you stay focused and energized throughout the day. Spending too much time at your computer can not only be draining mentally, but it can have a lasting effect on you physically. Staring at a screen for too long can damage your eyes, even if you have protective lenses.

If you don’t have a stand-up desk, remember to regularly stand up and stretch. Sitting for too long, often in poor posture positions, can have long-lasting effects on your body. Always remember to stand up and get your blood pumping every hour or so. If you’re wanting an extra challenge, when you stand up every hour, do ten of each of these body weight exercises: squats, pushups, and squat jumps!

Tip #4: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for All That You Need!

When companies started sending their employees to work from home, they got sent home with the necessities. Their computers, their pens, and their knickknacks from their desks are all that came home with employees initially. In order to support their employees, companies have to make sure that they have everything they need to be successful.

Make sure that you aren’t afraid to ask your employer for everything that you need to do your job comfortably! Get everything from your employer for your workspace including an ergonomic keyboard, better or additional monitors, upgraded software, or whatever you need to be able to do your job effectively!

Tip #5: Maintain Social Interaction with Your Coworkers

While being a remote worker means you aren’t physically interacting with your coworkers anymore, that doesn’t mean that the social interaction has to cease. Many companies are utilizing tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams to be able to keep up with tasks and projects, but these tools are also extremely helpful for keeping healthy coworking spaces and interaction. Yes, coworkers still communicate via instant messaging, video calls, conference calls, and virtual meetings, but socializing with your coworkers outside of the context of purely business can help fill the void of not being physically present in the office.

Keeping regular social interaction with coworkers can help us maintain a healthy working relationship and help with our personal lives as well.

Scion Staffing Can Help You Find a Remote Position!

Are you looking for a remote working opportunity? Scion Staffing is proud to offer award-winning staffing services for companies offering remote opportunities. To learn more about our recruiting and staffing services, please contact us today. Additionally, to learn more about Scion Staffing, we invite you to visit our about us page!