We are living in troubled times and over the last month; the COVID-19 crisis has taken a toll on human health, lives, and employment of many people worldwide. There is a complete lockdown globally bringing life to a standstill to fight the corona pandemic. Then, the business should go as usual even with a reduced workforce and work-from-home options. That is the reason why companies are asking their employees to work remotely, while senior managers and executives are messing things up frantically to implement a contingency plan.
Blind, an organization conducted polls to inquire whether the rising pandemic and worldwide lockdown would lead to unemployment or not. The answer is obviously in the affirmative, implying people are going to lose employment. Did you know that approx 53.8 percent of the participants feared to lose their employment?
Then, as an employee, you can do little to change a company’s policy amid the COVID-19 crisis. Then, this is the best time to evaluate the best practices and start working from the comfort of your home. Many companies have embraced the remote-work policy until the lifting of lockdown. If you can persuade your seniors that you will continue to deliver work by working remotely, it would increase the possibilities of saving your job at this crisis hour.
According to an article published on Forbes.com, efficient management of time while working remotely at this crisis hour is essential. Here are some of the best tips to help you work remotely during the COVID-19 crisis:
1. Prepare a schedule
The global pandemic is claiming lives, affecting our professional and personal lives like never before in history. The crisis is thus making many project managers freak out, as they feel that work is not possible at peak efficiency provided all are physically present at the workplace and confirm their presence in team meetings.
Whether you are at the office or working remotely, a strict schedule and sticking to the same is the need of the hour. It will not only help the team strategize but also persuade your manager and employer that you are at your desk working and delivering on time. It will help you save your job. As long as you are working and delivering quality work, your job is safe.
2. Ensure you have a dedicated home office space
A proper workspace, at least a desk with drawers is essential to help you work from the comfort of your home. When you have a professional home office set-up, it will help you slip into the work mode when you start working.
Ensure the area is clean, tidy, and organized, and not used by kids in the house. The best way is to use a separate room so that children and pets do not create distractions while you work. A professional and composed environment will also boost your efficiency while working remotely.
3. Replicate your workplace ambiance as much as possible
When you’re habituated to a traditional work environment, it becomes difficult to accept the work-from-home concept. Then, you need to embrace remote work until the lifting of lockdown. After all, you cannot risk your health or that of your loved ones by stepping outside your home.
What you can try is replicating your traditional workplace ambiance as much as possible, and of course, if you feel comfortable with the same. For instance, you can set up your laptop or PC on your home desk and make it look somewhat like your office. You can use sticky notes while working from home to remind you of deadlines or prioritizing work, just as you do in office. Keep a writing pad and a pen to take down notes while working. These little things will make you feel that you are working in a professional environment. Besides, if you are looking for a work-from-home opportunity, look up platforms like Search Remotely or similar ones to keep earning during the COVID-19 crisis.
4. Check with your manager as and when required
When you are working on any critical project that has zero tolerance for errors, make sure you communicate with your immediate manager to clarify all doubts. Ask questions if you cannot understand something. Ensure that your supervisor and you are on the same page when it comes to your schedule, work progress, and project delivery time.
Besides, you should also interact with your teammates if necessary. Use apt messaging or chat platforms so that you do not feel isolated or left out while working from home. Then, avoid overdoing it because, at the end of the day, you need to submit the allotted work on time.
5. Adhere to your work goals
The COVID-19 crisis is huge and all are in a dilemma. In such a situation, it is natural to panic, freak out, and go into depression. Then, if you are working from home, you cannot afford to do these things because you have your work goals and deliverables. You need to stick to your objectives. Being punctual, delivering work on time, and participating in video conference calls with your manager, if required, is the need of the hour.
Do not hesitate to ask your manager about some additional tools, hardware, or resources you might require for completing your job on time. For instance, you can use Traqq’s time tracker to monitor how you spend your work hours, allowing you to identify productivity leaks and areas for improvement. In all probability, your manager will do his or her best to grant your request.
6. Dress professionally
Just because you are working remotely, it does not mean that you are in your shorts when in front of your manager during a video call. Dress professionally; be in your trousers and shirt, preferably. It will help you boost you, psychologically. You can wear formal tees and even jeans while working from home. Avoid being in your nightdress or undergarments while working remotely.
Conclusion
During the corona crisis, it is easy to feel depressed and angry, especially when there is an indefinite lockdown. Make plans to work efficiently from the comfort of your home. Take tea, coffee, and meal breaks just as you do in office. It will help you ease into the new habit and deliver work like a pro.
