Working from home tips and must haves?

[NinJellyWarrior]

I have worked throughout the whole pandemic thing but have just got a job that will have me working from home for the majority of the week.

I know lots of you are old hats at this now so what are your tips?
Any must haves?

Will be desk based with my laptop - some zoom calls but not often. I only have my laptop so tech tips would be welcome too.

Thanks!

Extra monitor and docking station if your laptop is capable. Headset for zoom calls.

A separate monitor, screen and mouse, and a proper supportive office chair.

A proper screen, mouse, keyboard and ergonomic chair. Also, if you can, a permanent space in a room you don’t use too much eg guest room as it helps separate work/life.

Tips:

• get dressed everyday. Even if it’s just leggings and a top.
• keep a routine and plot tea breaks into your calendar so you get up and walk to the kitchen
• try to walk, exercise class or do an active chore (hoovering, mopping, dusting) each lunch time
• turn your laptop off at night and don’t fall into the ‘I’ll just do this bit’ trap
• if you’re both working and have kids make sure you’re still both contributing to the unplanned sick days etc in the same way you used to. Don’t fall into the ‘default parent’ trap because you work from home.
• keep a smart blazer and mini ‘glam’ kit by your desk for short notice meetings. The blur background is fantastic for hiding frizz.

So a proper monitor seems to be a must have.

I am setting up a proper desk area so will have room for it.

Noting the tip about getting dressed everyday. Hoping that helps with getting in the right mindset.

Echo or google mini for playing music

Check lighting for calls etc

Try to have some kind of routine & have breaks away from the screen. I’ll put washing on/ hang it up or whizz the hover around

No one wants to meet your cat or dog.
If the postman knocks and the dog goes wild just pretend it isn't happening.
If you can, Don't base yourself in a family walk way area like the kitchen where people can pop in and disturb your working space also away from the house landline or front door will be a bonus.

Take your breaks and switch off as near as on time as you can every night.

Either work in a separate room that you can close the door on at the end of the day, or pack your equipment away at the end of the day.
I’ve been working in the living room on the dining table and it was driving me crazy looking at my work equipment in the evening when I was trying to relax. So I bought a nice wicker hamper and now pack everything away out of sight at the end of the day.

take regular breaks away from your screen, its easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you must be at your desk every minute or else people will think you are being lazy because you aren't in an office but actually when in the office you would get up to go make tea, maybe have a chat with someone in the kitchen etc. so its fine to take 5 mins away here and there.

I've been wfh since before covid and love it. Good luck with the new job!

A comfortable, ergonomically correct chair is a must. I use a keyboard tray on my desk. I use two monitors plus the laptop monitor because my work requires reference to an online file system and often research. I write decisions so I have my draft on one monitor, and the file documents I am referring to or scanning on the other. I use the laptop monitor mostly for email.

This setup allows me to easily cut and paste and cuts down on mousing.

Yes, proper monitor and keyboard. A desk chair. Even a cheap one is better than using a chair from your kitchen table. Evaluate your setup just like an ergonomic specialist would I’m the office.

My webcam is on my laptop, when we started having video calls I bought a swing arm for my laptop. It lets me raise it up and position it nicely for calls. Then swing it back to use as a secondary monitor while I’m working.

I also hung a curtain in my office because the room serves multiple purposes and my camera might otherwise show clutter. My boss isn’t a fan of blurring backgrounds and turning my desk around just wasn’t going to work in the space.

stand up desk

I have a small remote controlled light outside my office door. I turn it on when I’m on an important call.

You need 2 monitors on stands connected to your laptop ideally but one will do. Also a plug in usb camera balanced on the top of the monitor in front of you so people aren't looking up at you through the camera in the laptop.

Keep a nail file and lipstick on your desk!

Oh and an ember WiFi enabled cup to keep your coffee at the right temperature for hours (battery in the bottom!)