Working from home has become a common part of the functioning of many companies in recent years. For managers, however, home office represents a challenge. How can you ensure that your team remains productive, disciplined and consistently effective even outside the office? Here are several principles that may help you, as managers, establish effective remote team operations.
These tips were published by Forbes.
Help employees establish a stable work routine
One of the most common problems associated with working from home is the lack of a clear daily structure. Employees can easily slip into an irregular routine in which work time and personal time become intertwined. Therefore, encourage your subordinates to maintain a clearly defined work schedule, for example by establishing expected working hours, regular team meetings or clear deadlines for completing tasks.
Support a work oriented mindset even in the home environment
Although it may seem insignificant, the way employees approach their work also affects their productivity. One factor is the transition from a home mode to a work mode. Try to motivate employees to maintain basic work routines even when working from home. For example, they can start their day in a similar way as when preparing to leave for the office. These small habits help psychologically separate the working and personal parts of the day.
Recommend that subordinates create a clearly designated workspace
Effective work from home requires an appropriate working environment. If an employee works from bed or from a sofa, it may negatively affect both concentration and performance. Your subordinates should therefore create a dedicated workspace at home. Ideally, it should be separated from areas intended for rest, such as the bedroom.
Encourage regular breaks
Long periods of concentration without a break lead to a loss of efficiency. Employees should be encouraged to plan short breaks throughout the day. One possible recommendation is a short break every two hours. During this time it is advisable to step away from the screen, stretch or engage in another activity for a moment.
Remind employees of the importance of movement
When working from home, natural movement that is common in the office often disappears, such as walking to lunch, going for coffee or moving between meeting rooms. The result may be prolonged sitting without interruption. Therefore remind your subordinates to include short stretching, a brief walk or another form of physical activity in their day.
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