Life Hacks for the Remote Worker
“We like to give people the freedom to work where they want, safe in the knowledge that they have the drive and expertise to perform excellently. Yours truly has never worked out of an office, and never will.” — Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group
While it’s back-to-school time for the kids, it’s back-to-regular-work time for many adults. As the pandemic winds down and restrictions lift, many workplaces are making decisions on how their teams will work moving forward. For some, that means a hybrid of remote and in-office attendance. Some companies are allowing employees to go fully remote. This means that what was considered a temporary measure for health and safety reasons is now the new normal for many Canadian workers.
In April 2022, roughly 19% of Canadians were working remotely. While this number has dropped since January 2022, where it was 24%, there are still a lot of remote or hybrid workers out there.
For Staff Shop, remote work has been the norm since our inception. For us, it’s a model that just makes sense. Because of this, we want to share some life hacks to help those who may be struggling to adapt.
Create a Dedicated Workspace
One benefit of going to an office each day is that you have a dedicated workspace that is set up properly with all the tools and equipment you need to work well throughout your day. In order to successfully work remotely, you need to replicate this at home to the best of your ability.
Even if you don’t have a spare bedroom or office in your home, you still need to set up a proper workspace. This means prioritizing ergonomics. Get a proper desk chair or exercise ball for core stability and posture, and a riser for your laptop so that you’re not hunched over your desk all day.
Don’t work at your dining room table, and definitely do not work in your bedroom. This will blur the lines between your personal space and your work space, which negatively impacts your down time and rest.
Don’t be afraid to ask your employer for things you need to make working from home more comfortable. Many companies will provide their workers with the equipment they need to succeed in this environment.
Hybrid models, fun shared office spaces and in-person meetings at your local coffee shop or favorite lunch spot can also add value to your workspace – making facetime much more productive and meaningful, as opposed to being forced to sit in one location daily for 40+ hours per week.
Utilize Digital Tools
Avoid having a computer monitor full of sticky notes and a calendar with writing all over it. The best way to work remotely is to utilize digital tools to ensure you are staying connected with coworkers and superiors.
This means having instant message channels, online calendars and video conferencing capabilities. This keeps everyone connected and on the same page.
At Staff Shop, we have our work related group chats, but we also have one that is dedicated to non work-related topics. This is where employees share their lives with each other. This is especially important for those who crave the watercooler chatter that you get in a traditional office space. Staying connected on both a professional and personal level will help you stay motivated as you work through your day. It creates a touchpoint so that you know you’re not just out there on your own.
Prioritize Health and Wellness
Eighty-eight percent of remote workers polled said they had more personal time while working from home. What this means is that this work arrangement allows for more free time and greater flexibility.
Remember, by working remotely from home or nearby, you are cutting out the commute. This frees up time that will allow you to do any number of things that will make you feel better – in both mind and body.
Some examples include:
- Taking a fitness class before work or walks throughout the day
- Preparing a nutritious breakfast and actually eating it
- Making medical appointments during the day
- Scheduling massages or chiropractic appointments
- Sleeping in a bit later to ensure you are well rested for your day
- Drop-offing and picking-up kids from school or daycare
According to stats by Statista, 72% of those polled said they consider their work-life balance when job searching. It’s become abundantly clear over these past two years that many people are enjoying working remotely for that very reason. Being able to work from home allows employees to have a life outside of work, which is a huge benefit.
For workers that were asked to come back to the office, “49% of leaders and 42% of non-managers said they have felt, or are feeling anxiety about returning to the office,” according to a 2021 study. This pushback is being felt by many business leaders, as workers show resistance to going back to a pre-pandemic model.
The bottomline is that workers are happier and healthier when they have more freedom and flexibility built into their workday.
Talk to Staff Shop
As a fully remote company from day 1, Staff Shop’s CEO and COO have a lot more insights into how and why this model is just better for our changing world.
Read our previous blogs on Managing a Remote Team: Part 1 & Part 2.
As always, you are invited to join us or hire us. Contact us today!