Working remotely? Tips for working from home.

With the widespread concern of Coronavirus, an unprecedented number of employees may soon be transitioning to remote work-from-home positions. While this new work arrangement may only be temporary, the following tips will help telecommuting employees remain engaged and stay on track with their work.

Though this may seem trivial, choosing a spot in your home that is designated for working from home is an important step you can take to set yourself up for success. Consider using a spare bedroom that you’ve turned into a home office, a desk located in the corner of the living room, or even the dining room table. However, you should try to stay away from working in your bed or on the couch, as these areas are associated with relaxation in your brain, which could negatively impact your productivity.

Make sure your workspace functions efficiently for you and your work style. Treat your at-home work area as you would an office cubicle. Make your workspace a place where you can focus and do your best work.

To ensure that you aren’t left out of the loop, make sure to schedule regular meetings and communications with your team, supervisors and managers. It can be easy to feel disconnected with what’s going on in the office, so staying engaged with your co-workers is key. Communications can include virtual meetings, phone calls, instant messaging, or emails.

Of course, make sure that your communication method of choice functions properly before you consistently telecommute.

Telecommuting introduces another set of potential cyber security risks. Make sure you speak with your manager about cyber security and strategies you can use for mitigating the risk of a cyber-attack while you are working from your home.

The way you dress has been proven to affect you psychologically. This means that although it may sound like a great idea to work from home in your pajamas, in reality, it isn’t. While you do not need to dress up in business formal attire if you are working from home, you should take the time to shower, brush your teeth and get ready for the day. Aim to dress in casual-not sloppy-attire.

Originally published at https://stratus.hr.