Top tips for WFH

[catinboots123]

I start I new job in 2 weeks and will be WFH with only one day a month in the office. I'm really excited about the role but nervous about WFH.

What are your top tips - everything from being organised, not distracted, keeping warm!!! Everything!!!!

What specifically makes you nervous about wfh?

Massive Bandwidth number one top tip!

Quiet space - if headphones are on, no one talks to me, House rule

• I prefer an open plan area and also a window to see out of, I could not bear being shut in a small room all day but some might not have that choice

nice backdrop for meetings with awareness of best camera angle and be quick at getting it into position for unexpected video conversations

I wear a robe over my work clothes to help stay warmer and just put it over my lap when in meetings

I have noise cancelling headphones for listening in on meetings that I don’t have to video in on, they really help with concentration

The microwave will interfere with Bluetooth headphone connectivity so don’t warm food while listening to an important meeting

Good luck!

A dedicated workspace, agree a nice view is nice.
I've been wfh for two years now. It's flown in.
Also get dressed. I don't mean full on workwear but not pjs.

Keep a normal schedule like you do on the office & plan your day the night before

Also, the mute button is your best friend. Be very aware of the mute button.

Keeping warm - I use a sleeping back and fingerless gloves. But also get up and move regularly to warm up and not get stiff.

Dedicated workspace, with proper desk and chair is essential for FT WFH

Go to a walk in the morning as a "commute" before work

Put get dressed for work (at least from waist up) and have you camera on while interacting as you get to know people. If you are not saying anything ok to have camera off.

Look at your calendar for the week ahead and book out time for lunch where you can. It is very easy to not get a break when diaries start to fill up.

Dedicated working space is ideal.
Continue to get up, dressed etc. for the day as you would if you were going out to work (albeit, dressing comfy!).
Keep a normal working day schedule and do take appropriate breaks - lines of the working day can get blurred, don't let that happen too much.

I don't have a dedicated work space and work from my dining room table. I do frequently change positions throughout the day, so if I'm taking a call on my mobile, I walk around the house or up and down my road (it's reasonably quiet).

Pack up your equipment at the end of the day. Have a space where you can easily put things away eg a box or cupboard.

I wear joggers and jersey tops when working with a dressing gown to keep warm. If I have a meeting, I will remove my dressing gown and use a hot water bottle.

I try to avoid calls/meetings after 4pm, which is when my children get home from school. I work from our bedroom for the last hour to avoid their noise. I tend to keep my easier tasks for this time eg filing, preparing for the next day, training.

Try to work as paperless as you can so you aren't building up lots of papers. I have a few documents that I like to keep as hard copies, so I can easily access them, but most are electronic.

I do frequently change positions throughout the day, so if I'm taking a call on my mobile, I walk around the house or up and down my road (it's reasonably quiet).

I find this really helpful as well. Walking around while on a call helps me focus and get some energy going and get out of the desk chair.

Congrats on your new role!

My top tips:

If you have the space, invest in a desk and comfortable office chair. You need a dedicated work space that you can walk away from at the end of the day - dont sit on the sofa with a laptop. If you can, get a second hand monitor to hook up to a laptop.

Go for a walk before you start work. Yes, lay ins are nice but this helps set my mind into 'work mode' by doing a little commute to work round the block!

Be strict with timekeeping - set yourself a lunch break and a finish time, so you still mentally leave work at the end of the day.

Make your work space yours - a nice plant, some nice stationary etc!

Get washed and dressed, even if its into nice loungewear.

Working from home is amazing, ive done it now for two years but i learnt early on that rolling out of bed unshowered and logging on doesnt work long term!

And enjoy the perks! I love being able to bung a quick wash on, keep on top of housework a bit more, sit on my own sofa at lunch and watch tv.

But most importantly - BE CONTACTABLE. the number one bug bear of management with working from home is when they dont know where you are or cant get hold of you.

Agree with the above.
Also make sure to take your lunch away from your work so you aren't tempted to check emails etc.
Keep to set working hours where possible, but if your employer is happy, allow some flexibility in if needed (ie for appointments, deliveries, workmen, school meetings, pickup /drop off etc) & work up the hours later/another day.
Booty type slippers are great for keeping your feet warm. If possible sit in a south facing room as it'll be warmer & you won't require the heating on as much. Fleece jumpers/blankets are great.

If you are doing lots of Zoom calls think about broadband. We've got 200mb broadband but the Virgin router was rubbish. We've just installed a mesh system (Google Deco mesh M5 on Amazon) and now have 3 lovely wifi spots in the house including one in the office.

Wow thanks this all so helpful.

I guess I'm nervous as I don't want to slip in to bad habits early on ie not getting dressed etc. I love the idea of a walk/commute before starting work for the day

I've worked from home for over 10 years, and love it. Things I have learned: (these may not be universally applicable, depending on what you do)

Just because I work from home doesn't mean I have to be at home. Some days I go to my favourite cafe and work. It's nice to have a change of scenery.

I don't like having the camera on for every meeting or call. Mostly it stays off. To make sure of this, if my laptop doesn't have a physical cover on the camera, I keep a post it note or some sticky tape over it. I use headphones via the USB slot; by keeping a USB adaptor in the slot without headphones plugged into it, I am secure that I cannot accidentally un-mute myself.

Electric throws, hot water bottles, and good slippers are your friends. So are winter base layers. I have fluffy leggings that keep me snuggly, and I wear trousers over them.

Make sure you schedule some breaks between calls/meetings so you can get a coffee/have a walk/use the loo.

Get the right technology. Invest in some really good headphones with a good microphone (either attached or separate). Crap ones can make your ears sore, and it's really irritating if people can't hear you properly. Consider if you need a stand-alone camera and a proper screen. Do a workplace H&S assessment (looking at posture, lighting, screen angles, etc) and ask for a proper desk chair if you don't have one already.

It is important to take time to chat to your colleagues and to get to know them. You'd do that if you were in the office. It's not wasted time - it's important to make sure you are still part of a team.

Decide how your boundaries are decided. Some jobs need contact 9-5 and then can be switched off. Some are more task-based, and mean you can take the afternoon off and make up the time in the evening. What ever yours is, make sure you manage those boundaries effectively and don't end up working 18 hour days.

Try all the advice. Personally I don't need to dress in office wear to feel professional - I can do that in PJs. I don't want to start my day with a walk, but I do like getting out in the sunshine at lunchtime. Not everyone is the same, but you won't know until you try.

@catinboots123

Wow thanks this all so helpful.

I guess I'm nervous as I don't want to slip in to bad habits early on ie not getting dressed etc. I love the idea of a walk/commute before starting work for the day

I like to do a YouTube workout before work, then go for a walk at lunchtime

If you are worried about bad habits, schedule some 9am meetings then you’ll have to be ready, once you start carrying on isn’t so much of a problem

Yes I do a 20 minute HIIT workout at lunchtime to keep active, there are loads on YouTube