Unplanned/Unscheduled working from home can be stressful for everyone involved.
Team Members have a hard time concentrating, hard time finding balance and are working in an environment they are not used to.
Managers are managing in a way they probably never had to before and to add more to this we are in an uncertain time.
Do not let these uncertain times cause you to be fear driven and make rash decisions. The best advice I ever received was “save to draft” in other words before sending an email or making that phone call make sure that what you are saying is not emotional driven.
Nothing is exactly simple during tough times but hope this helps those that are a little stuck working from home.
For Team Members
Set a routine from day one
Keep your home morning routine the same, do your morning routine the same as you do now, including getting dressed as if you are going to work
Set proper start and end times. When working from home it is easy to work over the normal time you would in the office. There is always work to be done.
Take a lunch break like you normally would
During lunch break take time to Facetime with friends or family that are also at home, do a meditation or go for a walk
Set up a place in your home for working to help you feel a little more normal
Try to not let distraction interfere with your work just like if you were at the office
House cleaning
Pets
Kids (I know with school closures this maybe a bit more difficult)
Have patience
Have patience with yourself, no need to get frustrated. It is just a slight change in scenery
Have patience with your owners/managers, this is a stressful / uncertain time for everyone
Have patience with your clients, customers, whomever you are working with
At the end of your day
Try to clear away your work stuff so it is not in your face during none work hours
Get outside before the sun goes down and breathe in the fresh air (even if it is cold)
Do something physical, you been sitting inside all day during this stressful time.
For Managers
First remember that everything above goes for you too.
Have patience
Be understanding
Be the example
Have conference calls or Zoom calls, it will be essential to stay connected
Trust and faith will be everything for your team
These are people you have had trust in previously continue to have this trust.
Your trust or lack of trust will be felt by your team members
Be as open and honest as you can be
At the end of the day STOP working
For Everyone
If you do not have a meditation routine start one even as little as 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes at night.
Be physically active
Get outside even just for a few minutes to get fresh air and see the sun
Stay connected to people outside your home. Speak to people on the phone, via Facetime, ect
Remember to breathe
Be there for one another and support one another vs taking each other down. Remember to come from a place of compassion & understanding.
