One of the most highly impactful things that occurred during the pandemic is telecommuting or working from home. It has fused work and home like never before.
Needless to say, working from home seriously disrupted work-life balance. And while some personal and professional relationships benefited from it, some also suffered as a result of this “innovation”.
In this article, we will talk about how employees and even business owners can manage to balance working from home.
Virtual events. Working from home somehow limits your human interaction with coworkers. To make up for this, you can take advantage of virtual events or opportunities to network with people outside of your team.
If your own workplace isn’t offering any, you can try to plan one for yourself. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. When you feel like interacting with other humans apart from your family members, you can schedule a casual Zoom meeting with your colleagues.
Set boundaries. It’s crucial to set boundaries between work and life if they don’t already exist. This is even more important in a work from home setting. Technology has made everyone accessible 24/7, but you need to know when to “plug” and “unplug”.
To do this, you should intentionally block out time on your calendar for personal activities like exercise, meals, and hobbies. You should also set expectations with your employees and co-workers that you won’t be reachable after a certain time during the week or anytime on weekends unless it’s an emergency.
Being both intentional about your time and priorities and letting it be known to your team will help you be more in control over your life.
Create a comfortable work environment. A comfortable work environment will help you stay focused and relaxed. Make sure you have a reliable work chair that is also comfortable. Ensure that your desk is organized and has plenty of storage. You have to also make sure that your computer or laptop is at a height that is comfortable to use.
This section is especially for employers and business owners…
Make mental wellbeing a priority. Far too many businesses overlook the importance of mental wellbeing in the workplace. Burnout is a real issue that affects many workers around the world, so it’s important to make mental wellbeing a priority instead of an afterthought.
Be proactive in your approach to mental wellbeing and you’ll find that your employees will be happier, more productive, and more likely to continue working with your company.
Consider individual needs. The recent pandemic is an unprecedented complication for business. As a result, there are likely going to be many unique circumstances that arise as a result of it.
For example, parents may need to spend more time at home tutoring their children. Or they might need extra help with home responsibilities and commitments.
As such, you should always consider the individual needs of your staff. There are also some simple gestures you can take to show your staff that you really care.
One of these is to provide “care packages” for your team. It can include small things like snacks and sanitizing essentials like hand soap, disinfectant spray, and alcohol wipes. You can also throw in some hot towels or even their own towel warmer as a gift. This can help them relax during their breaks or after a day’s work – even if they are at home.
That way, everytime they relax they will think of you and be inspired to work the next day instead of the other way around.
If you need help on where to get these things, we have them all in Oshiklenz. Just reach out to us through (+61) 2 9533 2211 or send an email to info@oshiklenz.com.au.