South Africans are entering the second week of social distancing, thanks to the Coronavirus. This means many have for the first time joined the global league of professionals who work in a “virtual office”.
As we all aim to flatten the curve through self isolation, there are a few pitfalls to consider around this new Working From Home (WFH) environment - and certainly a few teething problems you might have encountered that need addressing.
READ: Social Distancing | Minimise your show days and adhere to these dos and don'ts
Here are three that will go a long way to ensuring you remain in the smooth zone, while working during self-isolation:
- Ensure a solid Internet connection and never work from bed!
Setting up your remote working environment is absolutely crucial - but nothing will drive you loopier than an unstable Internet connection. While you don't need to go for the most expensive package - be sure to check on your line capacity when it comes to upload and download speeds. This also depends on the type of work you do.
And if you're working from home with your children playing Fortnite or streaming their favourite YouTube channel as you do, you are going to have to ensure you're managing the traffic load on your connection. This also boils down to your type of router - click here for more advice.
READ: 8 budget-friendly home office ideas that will inspire you
Added to this, defining your work space is an absolute must. Taking the time to setup your home office will go a long way to helping you focus as well as close-off to the busyness created by others in the house who don't have to work.
A golden rule is never work in your bed. At least not all the time.
It creates a negative mental association with the place that is meant to be your sanctuary for peace and rest. Not only do you run the risk of feeling like you're always at work but it is believed that using electronics before bed suppresses your body's ability to produce that vital sleep hormone, melatonin.
READ: How to prepare for a safe, Smart home
- Safety and security must be top of mind
Be sure to tell your insurer how, where and when you use your electronic devices. Traditional office workers would normally depend on their office managers to take care of this type of admin, but if you are a one-man show working from home, you shouldn’t overlook this important part of your business.
“Now more than ever before, and in order to do their work remotely, people have to take their technology with them wherever they go,” says Bradley Du Chenne, CEO of online comparison website Hippo.co.za.
Du Chenne says a policy holder could either cover their devices as specified items on their household insurance policy, or the person may require business cover, including ‘electronic equipment’.
“In the world of insurance, there’s no such thing as too much information,” he says. “Tell your insurer everything about how, where and when you use your technology, car and other equipment. To protect yourself against a rejected claim in a time of crisis, be sure that you’ve disclosed absolutely everything to your insurance provider,” he says.
READ: How to keep busy during home quarantine
- Don't feel like you have to constantly prove you're working!
Working as part of a bigger organisation requires boundaries and clear communication. As this new phase of working remotely unfolds for most of us, it is going to be crucial to set specific parameters to ensure nobody slacks off or feels like they need to prove they are online and working all the time.
Define which communication channels will be used for what. Slack is ideal for less formal communication and confirming day to day tasks and requirements. Email should always remain as the official place for messages to be shared across the company, with its crucial archive and paper trail where needed.
It's also possible to have tone and context misinterpreted, so for feedback sessions ensure video chats can take place as required.
Similarly, if your work requires it, schedule 'deep work' time in your diary and make key people aware of it - so they know why you're not responding. Also, if you're planning to be away from your workspace - keep team members in the loop. For a more detailed guide on remote teamwork success click here.
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