WFH - tips please!

[Fuuuuuckit]

Hi vipers! I'm about to start a wfh job (didn't realise when I accepted, it increases to 2 days in the office by Sept). My only previous experience was obviously during the first lockdown, and I found everything so utterly terrible, but I know that was a very different set of circumstances globally.

Any tips on good practice? I've already invested in a heated foot warmer and massive hot water bottle

Oh, it's full time, I'm a single parent to 2dc if that makes things more complicated

A dedicated workspace is a must, you can't work long term at the kitchen table. If possible clear out a spare room and turn it into your office, if not clear a section of the living room, dining room etc and separate it. I didn't feel in "work mode" when I'm not at my desk.

I would try and make sure you have a workspace just for that purpose, not at your dining table like I did for a year! And get up and take screen breaks often.

Agree with dedicated work space. Proper desk & office chair. I have a full-size monitor & keyboard which I use plugged into my laptop.

I get up showered & dressed, though I do dress more casually than in an office.

Switching off is important. It's easy to fall into the routine of extra hours so I suggest a hard start & stop to your day. Plus take your lunch break away from your desk.

Definitely get up and keep to a morning routine. As pp said, I do dress casually, but sticking to a normal routine helps.

Dedicated work space. Make sure yiu take regular breaks to walk about like you would in an office. It's easy to find yourself stuck to your desk. Take your breaks.

If your work space can be outside the living room it makes evenings more relaxing, imo.

I was inspired by that Stacey Solomon programme and converted my airing cupboard in to an office. It was surprisingly easy, had a thorough sort out so bedding and towels in nice boxes on top shelf and have it a good clean and repainted. It’s only small but I open the door and there is my computer desk (cut to fit!) and everything set up nicely. Come the end of the day I can shut the door and not see anything work related :) I added nice touches like pics of the kids, nice lamp, officey bits. Honestly best thing I’ve ever done!

Not heard the airing cupboard tip before! Sounds tempting although ours is in the bathroom so there is no plug in there, plus would be inconvenience at times when there are other people are in the house. A nice creative idea though!

I bought a desk and set up a proper workstation at home. That way, I settle down to work at 8.30 a.m. and I stay there until my working day ends at 1.00 p.m. and my DH knows that I'd rather not be disturbed but if he really needs me then it's OK. He's disabled and I am his carer. Make sure you have a definite end to your working time. It's easy to let work creep into your time where you wouldn't have stayed late at the office.

If you wfh and your employer doesn't pay you expenses (to cover ink, paper etc) you can claim a tax allowance of £6 p.w. and that's a useful amount to get.

I make sure my workstation is supplied with everything I'm likely to need - staples, paper, envelopes, file covers etc and that way I'm not having to search for anything and thus losing work time.

My employer and I have agreed that I will wfh until I retire in December because I can't go to the office and leave my DH alone. Boss doesn't love the situation but it's that or I take early retirement.

At least, I say don't let work creep into your time but it's not something I'm good at - I end up working all hours....

Do everything as you would if you were due to leave the house at a certain time to ‘go to work’. Get properly dressed and ready etc. I start at 8am (WFH) and this morning the house was tidy, washing out, I’d evn made packed lunches in the fridge. I then stuck the radio on, made a brew and was ready and focused at my desk for my ‘work time’. I take a set lunch break at the same time and eat at the kitchen table with a book. I also switch off bang on 4pm and put my laptop away.

If you don't have a proper desk and chair get one. We got our full sized corner office desk, with built in cable channels and power plugs off gumtree for £50 and bought an office chair.

Get a good size monitor and monitor arm too so you can dual screen with a laptop.

Book out time in you calendar for lunch.

If you have time, have a "commute" 20 minute walk outside before starting work/lunchtime/or after work.

Get up and move every hour or so, it is very easy when WFH to find you have sat in 4 hours of back to back calls without getting off your chair! I do things like empty the dishwasher at speed etc.

Wireless earbuds (2 pairs for when they run out of batteries if you are in calls all day).

I agree with the comments.

There needs to be a demarcation between home life and work if at all possible.

And always be washed and dressed, even if it’s a more casual outfit than usual and less makeup (if you wear it).

Children and pets (if applicable) shouldn’t be audible in the background of Teams calls. Likewise washing machines etc.

If its possible a walk after work really helps that transition from work to home life. 20 minutes around the block helps turn off my work brain and leave the thoughts behind like I would do on a normal commute.