29 Jan Working from Home the Right Way

It is no secret that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption for business across all industries. With the recurrence of Lockdown 3.0 and the government’s recent encouragement for people to once again stay home and work from home where possible, some employees have discovered how productive it can be when working from home and hope they never to return to the office again! Whereas others have found working from home to be challenging.

Here we examine the pros and cons of working remotely and how we can make the best of it we possibly can. Working remotely opens up a new range of possibilities for the way businesses can work and adapt.  

Previous to the coronavirus pandemic (did a time even exist?!) working from home was increasing. Many employers identified the benefits that it can bring to their business.

Here are some of the benefits that come with working from home:

More Flexibility– Working from home allows more flexibility in working hours and arrangements. Employees no longer are tied to an office schedule or have to take the time out of their day to battle the commute in. Some have found that they are more willing to work flexible hours such as longer hours later or earlier in the day. Especially when in a more comfortable and easily accessible environment.

Increased Motivation – Working from home can improve staff relationships and motivation. As employees are not as heavily monitored. Employees are given a degree of trust to get on with their work allowing them to develop a home working routine that suits them better. This can contribute towards them feeling more motivated to give their best effort.

Improved Mental Health – Working from home eliminates the need for a commute to the office. Journeys during rush hours and having to accommodate for public transport delays can be incredibly stressful to your employees. Eliminating the commute can save a lot of time in a day which enables staff to get extra health benefits such as additional sleep, spending more time with family, exercising or allowing time to properly eat and prepare healthier meals.

Now let’s take a look at the cons of working remotely:

• Technology Doesn’t Always Make It Easier – The advance of technology is incredible and has the ability to connect people from all around the world. However, in our third lockdown we are all very aware of the zoom call struggle with a bad connection and there’s always someone who doesn’t realise their mic is on mute! Employees may also have to be provided with the suitable equipment such as laptops, mobile phones and other IT equipment when they can’t easily be accessed in the office. Costing a business an added expense.

• Disruption of Routine– Some employees might prefer the structure of a routine that the working office environment provides. If some employees live alone they struggle with isolation. Working alone in contrast to the hustle and bustle and personal interaction with colleagues can lead to a decline in mental health.

• Training Difficulties – Working from home can cause issues particularly with relatively new employees. New starters may need extra guidance on a project or how to use a new software system. Trying to teach new programmes not in person of you can be potentially problematic and lead to misunderstandings.

• Potential Burnout – An office environment provides a clear physical distinction between work and home life. Working at home can lead to a blur in these lines. Staff may forget to differentiate between the two. This may lead to employees finding it difficult to know exactly when to switch off from work leading to longer hours, increased stress and spreading themselves too thin.

For those who may be struggling we have gathered some top tips for working away from the office that guarantee better productivity and a bit more motivation!

• Build a workspace – By associating one area with work this can help keep the line between work and home clearer. You’ll find that you will end up being more productive in that space.
• Set your hours – Be sure to know the hours that you will be working. Having a clear definition of working hours will make it easier for you to remember when to take your break!
• Exercise – It can be draining sitting down at a desk and concentrating for long periods of time. Refresh yourself with a quick bit of exercise every so often. Even just taking a walk around the house for 5 minutes can increase the Serotonin levels in your brain, making you feel more refreshed.
• Planners and to-do lists – Starting each day with a clear list of tasks you want to achieve will help keep you on track. Plus, it always feels great crossing a job off the list upon completion!

Our team at Kiwi Recruitment are always on hand to provide any advice and assistance. Don’t hesitate to contact us on [email protected]  or 01243 782763.

Read more articles and news from Kiwi Recruitment here

To keep up to date, follow us on Twitter