Skip to main content

working from home

 


How working from home is changing us

Microsoft 365 Team


Think back to March 2020. In a matter of days, millions of employees went from sitting in traffic getting to work, to sitting at home figuring out how and where to work. In the months that followed, businesses learned one very important lesson: remote work is different work. It involves more flexibility, a good wi-fi connection, and occasional kid interrupting your conference call with demands for more snacks.  

With careers and lives having been upended by the pandemic, it’s imperative to understand the physical and emotional effects remote employees face every day while empowering them with the tools and technologies that make a difference.   

Recognize the new reality 

Work-from-home employees are facing levels of stress and change they never imagined. Many are concerned about job stability, some are juggling child and elder care responsibilities, others have little to no experience working this way and are feeling isolated and alone.  

Yet as coronavirus cases climb, the number of employees being asked to remain working from home climbs right alongside them. A record 46% of American businesses have implemented working from home policies.1 So, with all these people setting up shop at their kitchen tables, it’s good to understand their work-from-home health and the factors that make their jobs especially demanding. 

Common feelings remote employees express include: 

  • More face-to-face attention from managers to feel seen and supported. 
  • Better access to information so simple tasks don’t require more time. 
  • Opportunities to connect socially in a virtual environment. 
  • More flexibility in scheduling to take care of children, pets, and others. 

Understand the impact of distractions 

With so many things vying for a remote employee’s attention, getting distracted is an everyday occurrence. In fact, more than 75 percent of employees admit their productivity has plummeted due to distractions related to working from home and the pandemic.2

Getting a text here and an email there may not seem like an intrusion, but the facts speak differently. According to research from the University of California, Irvine, it typically takes about 23 minutes for someone who has been distracted to refocus his or her attention.3 So three distractions equal one hour of work lost.

What’s a remote employee to do? Here are some ideas: 

  • Turn off notifications: Even just a half hour here and there helps you make headway fast. 
  • Use headphones: Check out background noise apps with options from café sounds to busy lunchrooms, so you feel like you’re out in the world again. 
  • Go for a walk: It seems counter intuitive, but taking a break actually boosts focus and productivity.  
  • Say nice things to yourself: Replace negative thoughts with positive ones—being kind to yourself goes along way with…well, yourself. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

TOP 10 SIDE HUSTLES for you to earn money from home.

  If you are a student you need cash to meet the escalating costs of textbooks, fees, and daily expenses. Side hustles are a great and creative way to relieve some of those overwhelming stresses while earning extra cash on the side. They also provide a route to skill development, flexibility, and personal growth . Here are  top 10 side hustles for students, each a key to unlocking financial freedom and a gate to valuable experiences. 1. You can Resell your used or vintage goods Turn items you don’t use anymore into cash by diving into the world of resale. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace welcome your unwanted items, while thrift stores like Plato’s Closet pay you for fashionable clothing. It’s a win-win—declutter your space and pocket $20 to $40 per clothing item.  2.You can  Sell your designs Selling designs is a great way to make money right from the comfort of your desk. Platforms like  Printify  allow you to simply upload your des...
Post a Comment
Read more

Best Ways To Make Money From Home

  Best Ways To Make Money From Home in 2023: Learn To Earn Online Methods Of Making Money From Home Online Tutoring: Share Your Knowledge and Earn: If you possess expertise in a particular subject or skill, online tutoring can be a lucrative way to make money from home. Many students and professionals seek personalized instruction and guidance, creating a high demand for online tutors. Platforms like Tutor.com, VIPKid, and Chegg Tutors connect tutors with students worldwide. Whether you excel in academic subjects, music, language, or test preparation, you can offer one-on-one lessons or group sessions through video conferencing tools. Online tutoring allows you to set your own rates, work flexible hours, and make a positive impact by helping others achieve their goals – all in all, it’s a great way to make money from home. Virtual Assistant Services: Support Businesses Remotely: With the rise of remote work, businesses often require virtual assistants to handle administrative tasks...
Post a Comment
Read more

How To Make Money with Canva

  How To Make Money with Canva  Do you know, What Is Canva? Canva is one of the most easily accessible design options on the market. Launched  in 2013, it aims to make design easy for everyone, no matter their graphic design  experience. Thanks to its wide range of pre-made templates, graphics, and  elements, users can customize designs for personal, business, or creative projects. The platform is easy to use for creating everything from social media graphics to  printable designs. Professionals use it for branding and marketing, and educators  create interactive presentations, and influencers produce eye-catching visuals for  social media. As the platform evolved, Canva introduced more professional  features, including Canva Pro and Canva for Enterprise, making it a powerful tool  for beginners and experienced designers.  Canva offers a free plan with access to thousands of templates, images, and  design elements. Canva Pro pr...
Post a Comment
Read more