How NBF is Working From Home

"No commute"
Short, sweet, and said 6x

"Getting to sleep in and not wasting time on getting ready for work and commute"

"Reduced travel time, comfort of surroundings, fewer distractions."

"Saves me 1.5+ hours per day in commuting! Gas, time, wear and tear on the car...and more free time to spend doing things I enjoy. Also, less interruptions and distractions."

"No commuting; work time maximized"

"No drive, easy to jump right into it, saving money on food and gas"

"Saving time, gas, and the environment by not commuting. Plus I don't have to deal with the frustration of traffic."

"Extra time! I was spending about 8 hrs a week just getting ready/commuting (and that's light for most people). Glad to regain most of that time for my personal life."

"The dress code"

"Very comfortable attire and slippers"

"Being able to wear comfy pants and funky clothes I usually can't wear to work. And being able to play music as I work."

"Getting to sleep in and not wasting time on getting ready for work and commute"

"The flexibility, I can start early, take a short lunch, run and the dress code is amazing!"

"No commute time, all my favorite foods/snacks are already here, dressing more comfortably!"

"Flexible hours! There's no commute and I don't have to spend time getting ready for the day, so it's basically roll out of bed and start working."

"Every day is bring your dog to work day!"

"It's quiet, and my dog is next to me"

"Spending more time with my furry co-worker, more time to focus on projects with less distractions and ability to make healthy meals on the spot"

"Having my pets right by me and less distractions. Oh and yoga pants."

"My cat's my boss at home and now he's the boss at work."

"Sometimes my cat is a distraction, she's adorable. I feel bad when I have to stop petting her to do my work."

"I get fuzz therapy ( cats) whenever I need it"

"I get more work done because there are less distractions, like people coming up to me at my desk and asking me questions. I also hung an X Files poster right behind me at home, so that when I am on conference calls people can be reminded of who I really am, a nerd."

"Less Distractions = More Productivity. I've worked at home before and knew how i needed my set up to be so i'm very comfortable and set here already.

"I am more productive"

"in general I can get a lot of things done as there are less distractions"

(Clearly we're very productive)

"It does get a little more sedentary and you do miss the face to face interactions. Keeping myself from snacking all day is a bigger challenge."

"Harder to collaborate - video chat/teams is not the same. I like working somewhere other than my house - it is fine every once in a while, but I need a change of scenery"

"I'm an introvert, but this is really too much solitude. My boyfriend works for GE Healthcare so is out, so it's also challenging for both of us to stay "safe."

"Technology wise - saving things and attaching items (different when mailing from the order system vs emailing from outlook) - also, i have to use my personal scanner to scan documents in which takes a lot longer than in the office"

"I am home with young children and it makes working from home a definitely challenge keeping them entertained and learning at the same time"

"Connecting with my colleagues face to face; lack of social cues in meetings; team building. It's like trying to coach a basketball team via Teams or Zoom"

"Comfort. I don't have a nice desk or office chair, so most days I'm working from my couch which can take its toll (especially on a pregnant lady lol)."

"My spouse and I are both working from home and having to manage homeschooling for our kids. It's a challenge to make sure they are taken care of and get work done at the same time."

"It can feel draining when trying home life and work life become integrated. No commute to decompress from the day."

"Since both me and my spouse are working from home right now, we sometimes have dueling conference calls."

"I think adapting to the technically workflows. Working primarily from a laptop when you're used to working with a desktop poses some challenges. As well as, not having the comforts/conveniences of the office like printers, scanners, and other office supplies."

"No good place to set up so my station is not ideally configured; however I have learned to make it work!"

"that my child is home and I have to adjust and make sure he is getting his schoolwork done and other distractions"

"Balancing home and work demands, difficult to fully separate the two"

"Sometimes my cat is a distraction, she's adorable. I feel bad when I have to stop petting her to do my work."

"Maybe not having responses from strategy as quickly at times"

"Remote system is slow when using the design programs"

"My son always wanting my attention and having to say I'm working."

"That I am literally home all the time, maybe it has more to do with the fact that we can't go any where else"

"Certain parts of my job are easier on-site (tech, equipment, in-person meetings, more space, etc...). I'm also painfully sedentary while working from home. I miss walking around and my stand-up desk."

"Having everything right there makes it hard to sepearate work and personal use."

"One thing that I dont like about working from home is I miss being able to look out the window and catch a veiw of the city."

"Miss the faces"

"I miss the people. Physically, I miss my adjustable height desk."

"It can get slightly lonely. I love my coworkers so I miss seeing them daily."

"I prefer the human interaction I get from being in the office"

"No personal interaction with staff"

"I miss the interaction with co-workers."

"I miss the face to face contact with my team and co-workers!"

"No human interaction really. I live alone."

"On the flip side, I miss the daily interaction and banter with my co-workers. I also really enjoy my commute as it gives me a chance to decompress."

"No actual human interaction (only on-screen). Haven't created a good routine to get up & move around enough - there's no moving between meeting rooms."

"Caffeine"

"I dont have a tv in my office, i listen to music, and i get up to walk around once in a while so i'm not sitting in a chair for 8 hours straight. I find myself calling customers, installers, vendors more than just emailing which helps break up the monotony."

"One, I get ready just like I do if I were coming in (shower/makeup/real clothes-not PJS). I even say good bye to my kids (although they're still in the house). While working, I try to do the same tasks, just like I did in the office. It tells my mind that I am actually going to work. Not just going to turn on my computer."

"Just keep plugging away. I do look out my window at times, but the weather hasn't been that great, so no need to really daydream. Plus I set up time frames to have things completed by. That works well for me."

"I try to maintain "triggers" for work and relaxation. I get up early, get dressed (whatever that means for the day), and clear my work area. I avoid working from the couch, turning on the TV, or getting too comfy. I try to reserve those comforts for after-hours."

"I think working from home is a privilege, I would not want to jeopardize that. I make sure I work the same at home as I would in the office. Set my priorities daily and keep to my list. Actually there are less distractions at home, because I live alone!"

"Work facing a corner. That way all of the household distractions are behind you,"

"I realize not everyone has the privilege of having a spare room as a dedicated office like I do; keep your work and your living spaces as separate as possible. The overflow is stressful to me, it's nice to close the door and leave work behind at the end of the day. Even a movable screen would help if that's not an option (Loft Wall!). Also, I put on real cloths, including shoes. I don't put on dressy cloths like I'm going to a client meeting, but I at least wear something I would be seen in at the office."

"I am constantly flooded with work, so it's been pretty easy to stay on track. Since the WFH order began I've only been focusing on work that needs to happen TODAY or TOMORROW versus my old workstyle of working a month in advance. This has also made it a lot easier to stay agile and productive."

"Having a dedicated work desk at home has helped tremendously! It keeps me focused on work tasks and keeps all my work materials and technology in one spot. Also, when I'm at my desk my husband and kids know I'm working...which means less distractions!"

"Keep a consistent schedule. Have a very clean, organized work space. I let my family know when I'm on the clock, I'm to be interrupted sparingly. I take a walk with my family and dog at lunch."

"Listen to talk radio or music in the background. Jump in at the beginning of Teams Meetings just to see a familiar face. Say a rosary with a dear friend everyday at 1:00. Virtual happy hours. Also sending, out my cheer leading emails to the team. It has been so much fun collecting the data, Focusing on the positive."

"I stay MORE focused without the distraction of interacting with co-workers. (which I also happen to miss.)"

"I stay focused with the power of snacks"

"I try to keep myself on a schedule and follow the same routine as if i was in the office. I set up my home desk to somewhat mimic the one in the office. Also I put up a do not disturb sign on my door so if I am on a conference call my family knows not to come in and bother me."

"my location changes multiple times a day and that helps with changing things up to stay as motivated as possible."

"Alexa puts on opera or classical music, I'm a classic heads down worker anyway. I have to get up and move frequently but don't find anything to be a distraction."

"For me, I have to make my space "feel" like a work space. Which is a little challenging since I work in my bedroom. But I always work at my desk, I never have the tv on while I work, I try to minimize 'clutter' on my desk and only keep essentials there, and I put my phone on "Do Not Disturb" and/or on my bed so it's kind of "out of sight, out of mind"

Working from Home

Tips

Fun at Work

Working Hard while Working from Home

Perhaps the weather outside is frightful (and your home office is so delightful), you're feeling under a different kind of weather, or there's a global safety concern that could decimate the workforce-- whatever the reason, a work-from-home day might pop up unexpectedly. While fully and partially-remote employees are used to the on-your-own workflow, desk-bound employees might have a harder time adjusting to a different scenery.

Transitioning to Learning from Home

Is your kid raising their hand in the middle of the day, shouting "Mr. Dad!" or "Mrs. Mommy!"? Has your college-age student resorted to calling you "Professor Parent" while they're studying? Maybe your learn-from-home situation hasn't gone that far, but when you're making a quick transition from the classroom to the living room, there's a lot of considerations that can make things as smooth as possible.

The Side Effects of Working From Home

Shutdowns, layoffs, and remote-only workplaces have swept the nation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The instant effects of working from home are easy to pinpoint: it's harder to schedule meetings, some people won't have access to the tech and tools that are too big to remove from the office, quick in-person conversations have to migrate to chat, etc. However, secondary effects can also drastically change a person's workday.

While transitioning to a remote-only workforce, leadership should consider some of the side effects of these changes. Compassion, understanding, leniency, and communication can make or break a working relationship. Understanding what employees are experiencing is the first step in creating a remote workforce that works.

It's All in the Family

It isn't just workplaces that are shutting down—it's schools and daycare centers, too. Suddenly, you've gone from working alongside team members to trying to focus on the task at hand while your spouse and children are adjusting to their new normals. Who knows, maybe the dog is constantly begging to go out or your cat's taking over the keyboard all at the same time.

For employers, this is a time when compassionate leadership can make a sour situation a success. Be patient with employees whose familial responsibilities suddenly fall during the workday. Understand that part of their normal working hours might involve tending to the household, and allow for a bit of breadth with start and stop times. A productive workday is all about results, not mindless hours clocked in and paying little attention.

As for employees, thoughtfulness and attentiveness is the answer to juggling the sudden intersection of work and home. Just as you'd schedule your workday, schedule your kids' playtime, learning, and meals alongside your meetings and the times you need to focus. Seek activities that can inspire your child's development into an independent and curious person. If possible, consider reaching out to healthy family members who may be fully laid-off, retired, or otherwise homebound to let your kids see other familiar faces while giving yourself a few moments to breathe.

Make Time for Mental Health

Whether it's anxiety about the global situation or sadness brought on by isolation, it's just as important to look out for your mental well-being as your physical health. While some people thrive in isolation and stillness, not everybody handles a quarantine in the same way. You can do a few simple pick-me-up activities during a brief break from work, at the start of your day, or after wrapping up in the evening.

Take a walk. While many public places, restaurants, and leisurely stores are shut down, there's still a great big world to explore. Even if it's just a stroll around the block, getting out of the house is more important than ever.
Exercise. Fire up your Chromecast and stream a few YouTube videos while the gym is closed. Look for yoga, weight, cardio, dance, or meditation series that resonate with you and keep up your exercise momentum.
Make a few calls. You're not the only person with a little free time, so try to connect with people you'd normally see in person. No matter how short, a quick phone call can brighten everyone’s day.
Ask for help. If you're struggling, there are resources for you. Your HR department will have information on any Employee Assistance Programs or even over-the-phone counseling. Always remember that mental healthcare is just as important as any other healthcare.

Keep Up the Good Work

Productivity shouldn't take a nosedive when you switch from deskbound to homebound, but what changes do you need to make to your workflow and workday? Maintaining a high output requires careful consideration of what matters, how you do it, and how you can make it work within your circumstances.

Identify what you need to succeed in the office and bring home or recreate those tools in your space. If you don't already have a home office set up, you'll need to adjust your living quarters to make your workflow work. Rearrange a shared space, such as a dining room or living room, to install a compact desk with enough room for a simple yet ergonomically-friendly task chair. Likewise, take advantage of a guest room and let it do double-duty as an out-of-the-way private office suite.

After returning to the workplace, consider how best to maintain and use these new spaces and tools. Will this freshly renovated space serve as a temporary office for future work-from-home days, or could the space be best used in another way? Having gone through the work to set it up, try to repurpose the area for arts and crafts, personal development, or a hobby requiring concentration and the same sense of focus you need at work.

Stay in Touch

Instant messaging, collaboration suites, and teleconferencing have reached a new level recently. These tools are invaluable for keeping on track in the office, and they've made it possible for so many companies to pivot quickly to a fully-remote workforce. By becoming fluent in these tools and technologies, you can share in real time with the people you work with.

But sometimes, it's just not enough. The value of a person-to-person interaction comes from subtle clues that get lost in text. While you're moving meetings online and setting up phone calls, see if you can make individual conversations or small conferences into video chats. While it's not perfect, facial expressions and body language can humanize interaction in a way teleconferencing and chatting cannot.

If you're in a management or leadership position, your guidance is more important than ever. Checking in on isolated employees can be a massive help. Set up a one-on-one video chat or phone call to review projects and accomplishments and touch base on employee wellness. There's a bigger picture to employee success that can't be measured by workplace achievements alone, and maintaining a sense of comfort and normalcy will aid in the transition back to in-office operations.

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Sam Pekarske

Sam Pekarske is a commercial and creative copywriter, lending a voice to National Business Furniture's products and resources one pun at a time.

It's All in the Family

Make Time for Mental Health

Keep Up the Good Work

Stay in Touch

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How NBF is Working From Home

Sam Pekarske
4/7/2020

What do You Like Best About Working from Home?

Some of us really like the commute...

...And others? The dress code.

Some new coworkers are a little hairy.

And our families are close by.

Every answer wasn't the same...

...And some of us weren't fans.

We really miss one another.

More From NBF

Working Hard while Working from Home

Transitioning to Learning from Home

The Side Effects of Working From Home

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

Sam Pekarske

Cart: Items

Resources

How NBF is Working From Home

Sam Pekarske 4/7/2020

What do You Like Best About Working from Home?

Some of us really like the commute...

...And others? The dress code.

Some new coworkers are a little hairy.

And our families are close by.

Every answer wasn't the same...

...And some of us weren't fans.

We really miss one another.

More From NBF

Working Hard while Working from Home

Transitioning to Learning from Home

The Side Effects of Working From Home

It's All in the Family

Make Time for Mental Health

Keep Up the Good Work

Stay in Touch

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

Sam Pekarske

Sam Pekarske
4/7/2020