Vaccines are a reality now. More and more people are getting them, at least the first dose. This will go a long way to increasing herd immunity and helping us open up and return to some form of normalcy. As the world gradually advances against the pandemic, a major consideration will be when, and if, to have your staff return to work in an office setting.
Having seen the value of work at home, many companies are trying to figure out a formula for a hybrid scenario. That means figuring out how and when it will be most beneficial to bring teams together in a physical setting and, likewise, which conditions will accommodate continuing to work from home.
In the meantime, the need for making the most of the home office environment is a matter of both best business practices and optimal well-being for the individual. A focused, balanced workplace will help your workers get the most out of their work-at-home situation. It will help ensure your team is working as effectively as possible.
While working out the next steps of how and where your teams will work, here are half a dozen best practices you can share with staff to optimize working from home:
- Make sure the office space is separate from your home reality. This may have been a given when first setting up at home, but work has a way of expanding into different corners of your world. Review the setup and tighten up the boundaries between work life and home life.
- Set up the office area near a window. By being in the sunshine, workers are better able to plug into their natural circadian rhythms. This will help them sleep better at night.
- As the weather warms, remind your team to open a window. Fresh air helps with focus and overall well-being.
- Try adding plants. Studies have shown they help decrease stress, while helping increase productivity and memory retention.
- Ditch those track pants. Time to dress for success. Meet the day with clean clothes that help put one’s best business foot forward. It also helps with focus and productivity.
- Don’t forget the importance of taking breaks. Invite your team to set an alarm on their phones for a break mid-morning and again in the afternoon, to get out of the home office and move around. This could even become a challenge the entire team can share.
