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How to Retain Employees During COVID

What are some ways employers can retain employees during COVID?

Create a safe and comfortable working environment
Be flexible whenever possible
Encourage new connections between employees
Make employee wellness a priority

Managing employees has always been tricky for employers, but as the pandemic drags on, it is apparent that one of the most prominent problems for companies everywhere now is how to retain their employees despite the COVID unemployment crisis. Adding onto that, the workforce now has new demands and expectations when it comes to their working environment.

Luckily, with many companies shifting their priorities towards flexibility, technology, safety, and transparency, there are many new ways for employers to overcome this problem. Below are 4 practices you can integrate into your office’s day-to-day in order to boost employee retention – all while keeping your employees safe from COVID and working remotely at home.

Create A Safe And Comfortable Working Environment

An employer should consider the safety of their employees beyond the usual physical safety protocols. Even while working at home, creating a safe and comfortable online working environment for everyone is important. In fact, one can say that it is of greater importance nowadays to make sure your employees don’t feel isolated in their work. Instead, they should be able to feel that they are part of a healthy and supportive environment, where they feel that they can work to the fullest.

This may be difficult as working remotely may make your employees feel disconnected from the working environment. So it is important to emphasize communication and transparency between teams and management. Open communication helps cultivate the feeling of a safe and comfortable working environment even during a crisis, where employees don’t have to worry about their job security, or other issues such as gossiping, secrecy, or cyberbullying.

When this type of working environment is created, employees tend to feel more secure in their roles and are less likely to consider other employment options.

Be Flexible Whenever Possible

While ‘flexibility’ in the workplace became a hot topic at the beginning of the pandemic, it is more complicated than just merely shifting to remote work. Flexibility in work may look different for everyone and depends on the expectations of the employees and the capabilities of the employers.

Flexibility for some employees may mean changing their work times in order to accommodate other responsibilities to home and family, while another employee may consider flexibility to be what apps they are allowed to use when communicating with their teammates.

Since there are many ways that employees can consider flexibility in their schedules, responsibilities, and procedures, it is important for employers to communicate with them in order to establish boundaries, guidelines, and rules around flexibility in order to keep everyone on the same page. This also allows employers to take into account new ways to ease workflows between employees, as well as increase productivity and overall happiness.

Encourage New Connections Between Employees

Like with most things about working in an office, the pandemic has restricted the social interactions that employees used to experience on a daily basis. If your team is working remotely, it may be hard for them to socialize, particularly with new hires. Nowadays, many social connections have to be done with more intention and planning than before. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but employers should make sure to encourage these connections

It’s important to reintroduce the social aspect of work virtually. This can be done by incorporating activities such as online games, icebreakers, and even planned company meals over ZOOM during workdays in order to help your employees bond, give them a sense of belonging, and allow them to destress after work.

Make Employee Wellness A Priority

While working remotely allows many companies to ensure that their employees are staying physically well, employees’ mental wellness is something that was negatively affected, which was particularly apparent at the beginning of the pandemic. When considering employee wellness, employers should also pay attention to their mental state and how their employees are dealing with remote work.

Regular check-ins with employees and teams are one way that employers can check on their employee’s personal situations. A simple “How are you doing?” is an underrated way of showing your employees that they have a support system they can rely on when they are struggling. Following this question up with sincere acknowledgements, empathy, and sympathy are great ways to further enforce their trust in that support system.

Other than that, making sure that your employees are given enough time to destress and recharge before their next day of work is a simple way of helping them maintain that mental wellness. Encouraging your employees to take rest when needed with things like paid time off helps them prioritize and take care of their wellbeing without worrying about the consequences.

Key Takeaway

The pandemic has highlighted many previous problems for employers and has pushed many to reconsider the ways that they communicate with their employees. Learning how to retain employees during COVID, in particular, is something that has concerned many companies well into the pandemic.

Employers should not overlook their abilities to innovate and improve employee engagement. In order to retain employees, employers should pay extra attention to the needs of their employees while keeping them engaged and happy with their roles in the company. When employees’ needs are met, retention becomes less of an issue.

4 Unique Work from Home Break Ideas

What are some unique work from home break ideas?

Jog in place for 15 minutes
Play with your pets
Eat your favorite meal
Play a short video game

The work from home lifestyle has been going on for more than a year or so. While most have successfully adapted to this drastic change, many are having difficulty in some aspects, be it staying motivated, maintaining focus, or balancing work and life. Most experts have touted the benefits of taking at least 10 to 15-long work breaks to re energize and take on a new task. But few have been able to provide solutions once the novelty wears off. If you’re one of these people, then maybe a fresh new set of work from home break ideas may be just what you need for productivity. Check them out.

Jog In Place For 15 Minutes

If there’s simply not enough time in the morning for your morning run, then sneaking in a few jogs during your work break may give you just the endorphin boost that you need. Short exercises are extremely effective at increasing energy levels, reducing fatigue, and restoring focus.

For someone who’s been staying far too long staring at a computer screen, a quick jogging break also offers a break in the monotony of work from home life. Instead of just sitting idly and watching as the minutes of your break pass, make it worth your while by putting on some jogging shoes then breaking a sweat at an acceptable pace to some lively music.

Play with Your Pets

Fur moms and dads have a shared understanding of what it’s like to work from home with pets. It does have its ups and downs — one simply cannot get a bit of productivity when their puppy makes the choice to sleep on a computer keyboard. In much the same way, pets at home require just the same amount of TLC they’ve been provided while you were going to the office in the past.

It may be time to change your perspective on the role that your pets play in your work from home life. Take their quirks as welcome distractions to an otherwise dull work day. Make time to play with them, rub their bellies, or reward them with a few treats simply by existing. Quality time with pets, after all, have been associated with a significant decrease in stress, better productivity, and an overall improvement in your mood.

Eat Your Favorite Meal

Not everyone will be able to afford preparing and having a full breakfast at home. Especially when you live alone, doing all this work can be too tiring — you’d rather settle with a warm cup of instant coffee and some toasted bread. You simply don’t have the luxury of time, and you’re paying for it by sacrificing a square meal.

Reward yourself for a change. During your lunch break, take it as an opportunity to order your favorite meal or satisfy a food craving that has been lingering for quite some time now. Not only will you be able to work with a full stomach, but you’ll also drastically improve your ability to remain focused on your tasks, no matter the gravity.

Play A Short Video Game

Much of the discussion about working from home has revolved around eliminating almost every distraction imaginable — video games, loud noises, fidget toys. However, the fact of the matter is that no one is prone to temptation to give in to these.

The next time you’re tempted to distract yourself from work by playing a few short minutes of an RPG or MOBA, try not to resist and allow yourself these few minutes of relaxation. Contrary to popular belief, video game breaks offer numerous benefits, such as boosting overall mood, lowering stress levels, and improving morale. Playing games may be something to look forward to, especially after spending all day taking calls, drafting contracts, and what have you.

Key Takeaway

Need an effective way to manage your work from home life? These work from home break ideas might just help you get back on track. From interacting with your pets to playing a short video game, these tricks may help you cultivate a more positive outline. Change up your daily work break routines and find creative ways to spend your breaks, no matter how short they may be — you definitely deserve it.

5 Tips to Avoid Overtime at Work

What are some tips to avoid overtime at work?

Manage your workload
Lessen distractions
Stick to a schedule
Know your limits
Take short breaks

If there’s anything that the average employee hates more than working a stagnating job, it’s having to handle excessive work above their paygrade. You might have found yourself in the same situation before — working an extra three hours on top of your already grueling 9 or 8-hour shift just to meet a deadline. Without any knowledge of tips to avoid overtime at work, don’t expect yourself to clock out as soon as your shift ends.

Fortunately, there are things that you can do to lessen instances of overtime. Through knowing the best ways of managing your workload, lessening distractions, and knowing your limits, it’s certainly possible. Read on to learn more.

Manage Your Workload

Managing your workload is easier said than done, but once you get the hang of it, then it’ll be second-nature to you.

This can be done by making a list of your priorities. Work on tasks that you need to finish within the day first, as this helps get the most crucial work out of the way. Then, you’ll want to move on to the simpler and more menial tasks that don’t really require much of your brainpower.

Contrary to what people might tell you, don’t try to multitask in your work. Instead, focus on a single thing at a time, as this makes your job less overwhelming and more productive.

Lessen Distractions

If your office has a strict, no-cellphone policy during working hours, then distractions are few and far in between. In the absence of one, however, then you might be victim to pesky disturbances that can chip away at your precious time.

As much as possible, you’d want to reduce any source of distractions especially if you’re working from home. Keep away all devices such as smartphones, handheld consoles, television sets, or virtually anything that may take your attention away from what you actually need to get done.

Stick to a Schedule

Not many employees will be too thrilled about the idea of sticking to a schedule at work. After all, no day is the same — it’s certain that you’ll be met with many unexpected work encounters that may push back the time you need to devote to your tasks.

However, you should at least try your best to come up with a daily work schedule that you can work with.

Try giving yourself a time limit by which you can accomplish a single work-related activity. Doing this allows you to gauge the level of your productivity and efficiency over time.

Know Your Limits

Sure, it’s great if you always try going beyond the call of duty regarding your work. You don’t mind taking in more tasks that aren’t really within the scope of your job description — but is this really something that you can sustain in the long run?

Saying “no” to your superiors or colleagues can be something that you might have difficulty with, but you should be able to know your limits and assert yourself.

When you really cannot take on more work other than what you already have on your plate, it’s time to let your colleagues know that you simply cannot get it done within the day. Give them an idea of just how mentally and physically demanding your workload is. Stand your ground and don’t give in to their requests, even if they try to convince you otherwise.

Take Short Breaks

You might be thinking that taking breaks is counterproductive to avoid working overtime, but it doesn’t always have to be the case.

A great reason why you should make it a habit to take breaks is so that you don’t burn out fast. Remember: the life of an employee is a marathon and not a sprint. Becoming the best version of an employee that you could be is all about doing things in a more sustainable manner.

When you’re taking breaks, you’re re-energizing yourself just in time to take on the next set of tasks that you have to finish. In this way, you’ll be able to get the job done more efficiently and productively. You won’t find yourself slacking off and just letting precious time pass.

Key Takeaway

Some of the best tips to avoid overtime at work include the following: managing your workload, sticking to a schedule, knowing your limits, taking short breaks, and lessening distractions.

Although making these best work practices can be difficult in the beginning, it’s all about taking it slow and giving yourself time to adjust. Do them consistently and you’ll soon find yourself a happier and healthier employee.

4 Effective Tips for Managing a Team During the Pandemic

How do you manage a team during COVID-19?

Determine What Roles That Can Be Done Remotely
Prepare Employees for Frontline or Remote Work
Frequently Check On Your Team
Stay Connected

If you are a team leader, the pandemic will test your skills in managing a team. Several establishments have sent their employees home for remote work to prioritize health. But some establishments cannot operate without employees reporting for work in the office or establishment. As a team leader, it is important to know how to manage a team during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read on to learn more!

Determine What Roles That Can Be Done Remotely

Not all kinds of work can be done from home. Some examples of this are frontline work in the hospital, pharmacy, food establishment, transportation, and security. As a team leader, you have to determine what roles can be done at home, and what roles are not. Prioritize health and safety as much as possible and send workers home.

Prepare Employees for Frontline or Remote Work

Now that you have determined which stays at the business establishment and who goes home, you have to prepare your team for some changes. Make sure to lessen or remove the risk of exposure of your front liners by following health and safety guidelines mandated by the government. Provide personal protective equipment and disinfecting products to your team. Sanitize your business establishment regularly and install protective shields such as transparent acrylic glasses.

For remote workers, ensure that they have all the technological equipment ready for remote work. Teach your team about the required applications and tools because not all people are technically-savvy in the latest hardware and software.

Frequently Check On Your Team

These uncertain times will be hard for everyone including you. Understand that everyone will need time to adjust to these changes. Frequently check on your team not just to supervise their work but also to learn how they are doing mentally. With remote work, some people will have to juggle responsibilities in the home. On the other hand, frontline work is also difficult because of health risks. Always monitor their health regularly.

Remind your team about their tasks and also the importance of their contributions. Be compassionate and always appreciate your team members on their effort in these tough times.

Stay Connected

Communication is vital in these times because everyone is scattered in different places. Always have a communication channel that is consistently open during work hours. This way your team will be able to voice out their concern easily.

Schedule video meetings regularly so you can align your team members about important matters. Chat and messages are useful but being able to see your team’s faces and reactions can help you stay connected.

Confirm in written communication all the important things that should be said clearly. This is to avoid verbal miscommunication and misunderstandings.

Key Takeaway

Now you know how to manage a team during COVID-19. As a leader, you are the one that they look up to as the decision-maker. Know what roles can be done at home so you can remove the risk of exposure to your team. Prepare them and give them time to adjust to the changes. Your team is your responsibility so it is important to check up on them frequently. Always keep the communication line open to keep everyone connected. It may be hard to supervise and manage a team in these tough times but the key here is to trust your team.

The Best Tips for Remote Team Communication

What are the best tips for remote team communication?

Use Appropriate Messaging Channels
Schedule Regular Video Calls
Set Clear Guidelines and Instructions
Conduct Regular Team-Building Events

The work from the home culture we currently experience in this pandemic brings a lot of positive and negative effects. It allowed us to spend more time with our loved ones while still completing our tasks at work. One downside from working from home is the lack of face-to-face communication that can make you feel alone and depressed. We all miss an energetic high-five and a gentle pat on the back for doing a good job. Today, we will be learning how to make the best of remote team communication. These tips will make work from home so much easier!

Use Appropriate Messaging Channels

Emails are a part of a workday even back when there was no pandemic. It is useful in sending important documents and formal messages. But it is not a good channel for asking questions that need to be answered immediately.

Find a messaging application that has “rooms” that can represent your office departments. Having chat rooms that are always open can help your team collaborate right away at any given moment.

Some companies have a more informal chat room for non-work related chats. It is a virtual water cooler where employees can hang out and just chat. This can help build camaraderie in employees and reduce work stress. Even back then in the office, casual chats would help lighten the workload!

Schedule Regular Video Calls

It is important to check-in on each other once in a while. The lockdown and pandemic have caused people to feel anxious and depressed. The lack of social interaction and excessive working has made people feel burnout. Some people are not even tech-savvy, to begin with. So it is important to show some care and empathy with each other.

Not everything can be done by chatting or emailing. These two channels of communication, while useful, lack the non-verbal elements like facial expression, voice pitch, and hand gestures. Video calls can have all of those elements, except physical touch.

Weekly video meetings can connect all employees and align them with the announcements, goals, and achievements of the team. This can provide an opportunity to voice concerns and opinions about a project. But always remember to only schedule meetings with a purpose as to not waste your teammates’ time.

Set Clear Guidelines and Instructions

Supervising remote workers is harder than supervising in a physical office. You cannot see what your team member is doing at office hours. This can bring about an issue of trust unless you do something.

Set clear guidelines for expectations for everyone in your team. Set deadlines, daily tasks, and communicate instructions about timekeeping and taking breaks. When you set guidelines, it removes the guesswork on what a team member must abide by. Everyone will have a routine to follow.

One example is communicating the guidelines for breaks. Avoid settling for verbal communication and put your instructions into writing to avoid miscommunication. Be very specific. For example, you can either set a specific hour for lunch from 12 noon to 1 pm. Or you can assign a 1-hour break every day that your members can take any time.

Conduct Regular Team-Building Events

Not all kinds of office work will provide constant human interaction. Some occupations, like software programming, is more focused on constant computer work. Even more so, when in remote work setup. This doesn’t mean that we have to stop all fun activities that used to happen back at the office. There are a lot of fun ideas that could be implemented in a virtual setting.

Having fun can affect personal connections and even work itself. A study showed that happier employees tend to be more productive. A closer relationship with one another will also allow a team member to open up and communicate ideas and concerns better.

Key Takeaway

Good communication is key to making remote work more pleasant and fun. Physical distancing doesn’t mean that you have to distance yourself emotionally from your team as well.

There are different communication channels that you can use to maintain a good workflow and camaraderie within your team. Just remember to communicate clearly what you need from your teammates. Schedule regular video calls to check-in on your team and their concerns. All these virtual channels can be used not just for work, but also for fun because a happy team is a productive team. Follow all these remote team communication tips to create the best remote work experience for everyone.

4 Virtual Team Building Ideas

What are some good virtual team building ideas?

Regular Virtual Catch-Ups
Online Games
Fun Channels
Watch Movies Together

A huge number of organizations have now shifted into a virtual office in the Philippines to continue their operations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This setup may be helpful in terms of tasks and work, but it also inflicts fewer opportunities for your team to socialize. Plus, it minimizes the chance to get to know each other better — especially if there are new people in the team. Remember, team building is also essential in the workplace. It keeps everything balanced and healthy. So how do you hold team buildings for remote teams? We’ve got plenty of virtual team building ideas under our sleeves and we’re here to share them with you today. Continue reading for more!

Regular Virtual Catch-Ups

At a regular office setup, you have all the freedom to tap your coworkers and have a quick chit-chat. But with remote working, you no longer have this freedom. Virtual catch-ups may be the next best thing. Make use of modern-day technology and allot a day in the week to just sit down and talk about anything non-work related with your teammates. Even something as simple as this helps restore energy creates engagement and reduces the feeling of isolation.

Online Games

Up for something fun? Since you can’t hold in-person activities, you can always rely on online games to incorporate in your weekly schedule with your team. Nowadays, there are so many popular games that are available online or that are altered to be played virtually like Pictionary, charades, and more. Plus, you can always switch it up every week!

Fun Channels

Now that many are using Slack or other channel-based communication platforms while working remotely, why not take it up a notch and maximize its use? Apart from channels for different teams and office tasks, you can create separate channels for fun, engagement, and improve the culture within your team. Try adding in hobby channels, support groups, funny forwards, or any channel your team can go to when they need a quick pick-me-up.

Watch Movies Together

Nowadays, there are a bunch of shared platforms you can utilize to watch the same movies with anyone on one screen. Allot time to watch movies or even anything informational or beneficial for the team. Plus, you can also challenge your team members to talk about what they thought about the movie. It is a fast, easy, and fun way to get the team together.

Key Takeaway

Even if you are working remotely or at home, team building is still a must. It gives the chance for your organization to catch up, socialize, and connect.

It also builds trust, value, and meaningful connection. Holding these virtual team building ideas will benefit your team more than you know. Try these out for yourself!

Nail Your Next Virtual Presentation with These 7 Tips

What are some good tips to nail virtual presentations?

Test Out Your Internet Connection and Audio
Utilize Up-To-Date Tools
Make it Visually Appealing
Make Your Words Readable
Look into The Camera
Remove Distractions
Practice

If you’re one of those individuals who are working remotely or from home, it is well worth investing some time in learning how to execute a seamless and engaging virtual presentation. Compared to in-person presentations where you have so much room to work with, virtual presentations impose quite a few challenges and intimidation. Tech issues, distractions, or your audience can also stray away. Because of this, you need to work twice as hard. Luckily, we’re here to give you some great and effective virtual presentation tips to deliver a powerful, fun, and engaging presentation! Read on for more!

Test Out Your Internet Connection and Audio

Tech issues are definitely one of the major mishaps that come with presentations. But, with in-person presentations, you can still go on and engage with your audience until it gets resolved. With virtual presentations, you no longer have this luxury. So, to ensure a seamless and tech issue-free presentation, make sure to test out everything beforehand. Make sure that your internet connection has good speed — enough to cover everything you’ll be doing. You’d also want to test your audio and your microphone. You wouldn’t want any of these to fluctuate during your presentation.

Utilize Up-To-Date Tools

The possibilities of technology are endless! There is a plethora of online tools nowadays that you can utilize to make your virtual presentation convenient, fun, and engaging! Craft it by adding in chats, polls, features, and more.

Make it Visually Appealing

You have one biggest challenge in virtual presentations — distraction. Your audience will likely be more distracted during these times, so make sure to step up your game! Visuals are one of the most effective strategies for this. To capture your audience’s eye and attention, incorporate informative and visually appealing graphics. Or you can even switch up the colors and the fonts to make it look more organized. But make sure that it isn’t overwhelming as well.

Make Your Words Readable

It’s best to add in minimal words to your presentation and let yourself do all the talking instead. This way, your audience will have their ears on you. However, if you will add in some text to your presentation, make sure that the font size and type are readable.

Look into The Camera

It may seem awkward to be talking to a camera at first, but this step will make all the difference. Looking into the camera will make each individual feel like you are talking to them personally.

Remove Distractions

Before you head on to share your screen, make sure that there are no unnecessary tabs, distractions, or any possible intermissions. Plus, you should also stay in a clean, clear, and quiet area to avoid any interruptions.

Practice

As the saying goes “practice makes perfect”. It’s always a good idea to practice and run through your virtual presentation. This way, you can also relieve your nervousness and makes sure that everything goes seamlessly.

Key Takeaway

In this COVID-19 world where most of us are now working remotely or from home, it pays to be equipped with some great virtual presentation tips. Try these out for yourself! Use these strategies above and you’re bound to execute a powerful, informative, fun, and engaging virtual presentation.

5 Time Management Tips for Remote Workers

What are time management tips for remote workers?

Find A Routine That Works for You
Delegate Your Tasks for The Day
Have A Designated Working Place
Reduce Clutter and Distraction
Know When to Stop Working

Working remotely definitely holds amazing benefits. It offers you flexibility, you get to be responsible for your time, and you can work wherever and sometimes, whenever you want. However, this can only be true if you are great at time management. It is the very key to working remotely. Without it, many problems can fall under your lap — distraction, less productivity, no social life, and it can even lead to burn-out. Fortunately, we’ve got a few tricks up on your sleeves. Today, we’ll be sharing our tried-and-true time management tips for remote workers. Continue reading for more.

Find A Routine That Works for You

Truth be told, there is no one-size-fits-all strategy and routine to working remotely. Unlike your typical 9-5, with remote working, you are completely responsible for all your time. From how you structure it, spend it, and how you keep accountable with things. With all the flexibility you are given, it is up to you to make use of it wisely. This is the beauty of working remotely. But it can also feel challenging for first-timers and for those who are so used to a routine.

It is normal for things to feel contesting and overwhelming at first. But, get creative! Explore different routines each day and see which one you’re most comfortable in. You will ultimately find something that works for you.

Delegate Your Tasks for The Day

Before you begin to work, take a few minutes to create a to-do list of tasks. Write down and note all the things you want to achieve within your time of working.

Having a specific to-do list is a highly effective method in time management. Unlike jumping from task to task and wondering what project to take on for the day, you are given a structured and set schedule to work with. This will minimize procrastination and get you into a productive flow within the day.

Have A Designated Working Place

Your working area and environment play a huge role in how you manage your time, too. Since you are given all the freedom to work wherever you want, choose wisely.

One problem with working from home is that it is so easy for your career to bleed into your home life. Because of this, you may not have any boundaries and will work longer hours than you should. If you choose to work from home, create a physical boundary and ensure that you designate a space exclusively for work.

Or if you can, it is best to move to a co-working space to create a useful physical boundary. This creates a healthier work-life balance and will definitely help you manage your time better. Plus, there’s no better place to remote work than co-working spaces — they are built for exactly that!

Reduce Clutter and Distraction

Distractions — it is one of the top culprits of ineffective time management. It is so easy to get distracted when you are working remotely. If you want to establish healthy time management, eliminate all possible distractions. Whether it be your phone, social media, or even the clutter that lies within your desk.

Know When to Stop Working

Because of all this time and flexibility, it can also be so easy to overwork. This is why it is so important to establish a routine and set a schedule. Make sure you clock in and out when needed and never strain yourself.

Key Takeaway

Time management is the key to successfully working remotely. With these time management tips for remote workers, you will surely have a seamless transition into remote working life and maximize it to its full potential.

A Beginner’s Guide to Working Remotely

What are some good tips for remote working?

Find A Perfect Location
Over-Communicate
Be Equipped with the Right Tools
Find A Routine That Works For You

Remote working has been more prevalent during the past few years, more so now, that the COVID-19 pandemic has made it a great option for employees to stay safe and secure. If you’re new to remote working, it can impose a few challenges. It is completely different from the way you work on your 9-5. But, don’t worry, we’ve got some of the best practices for you. We’ve curated a complete guide on how to work remotely for beginners! This will make your transition as seamless and comfortable as possible. You’re bound to nail the remote working life before you know it.

Find A Perfect Location

Now that you are not working in an office setting, you have all the freedom to choose where you’re going to work. Location matters more than you think. It is one of the essential keys to succeeding in working remotely. So, make sure to choose it wisely.

If you opt to work from home, there are some adjustments you need to make. It can be challenging to make yourself actively and productively work as there are so many distractions around and it is so easy to be comfortable. Make sure that you allocate a separate area for exclusively doing work. If you don’t have a separate room to use as an office, choose a corner or a space that is quiet, not distracting, and well-lit.

Or, it’s best to just choose a co-working space instead. By doing this, you are solidifying a place to be in “work mode” which can increase your productivity.

Over-Communicate

We all know that communication is essential in the professional environment. While in a typical office situation, your co-workers are just a tap away, on a remote work setup, you no longer have this luxury. Because of this, it is even more important to communicate to ensure that everyone is on the same page and there are no misunderstandings. If you have any questions, make sure to clarify and double-check, and never hesitate to ask for help when you need it.

Be Equipped with the Right Tools

As a remote worker, your job will depend on your tools, specifically, technology. Ensure that you are equipped with everything you need. Make sure you have all the platforms and software downloaded for your job. Apart from this, make sure you have a reliable device and Wi-Fi connection. Other great investments to have while working remotely are noise-canceling headphones, a place to co-work in, a mouse, or maybe even a second screen. Trust us, these will all be integral to productivity and proficiency.

Find A Routine That Works for You

One of the top things employees love about working remotely is flexibility. You are given more time and freedom. However, for people who are so used to a routine, it can be fairly challenging. But it’s all about maximizing and using the time wisely.

Key Takeaway

Remote working has definitely been beneficial for everyone, especially during these times. However, if you’re new to the setup, it can take some time to get used to. But it doesn’t have to be as challenging. This guide on how to work remotely for beginners has all the best practices you need to nail your remote working life. Looking for a place to remote work? Click here to see how Workplays can help you!

How to Stay Mentally Healthy at Work

How can you stay mentally healthy at work?

Don’t Skip on Lunch Breaks
Set Boundaries
Play Music
Socialize
Keep a Clean and Organized Workspace
Ask for Help When Needed

More working professionals are embracing “hustle culture” and becoming further immersed in their jobs over the years. True enough, in some instances having the drive to work your hardest, is a good thing. However, this has become the standard for many to gauge mental health, which shouldn’t be the case at all. Ignoring this can lead to burnout and even more serious mental health issues. Don’t wait until this happens before you take action. You should always know how to stay mentally healthy at work, more so during these times. The impacts of the pandemic can lead to even more stress and strain. Here are some seven simple strategies to keep yourself mentally healthy at work:

Don’t Skip Lunch on Breaks

With all the tasks you have to do within the day, it can be so easy to overlook your lunch break, especially if you are working from home. Lunch breaks are implemented for a reason and are far more important than you realize. It allows your mind to recharge, rest, and refocus. Lunch breaks or eating on your table doesn’t count. Make sure that you devote your lunch breaks to yourself and eating a proper meal.

Set Boundaries

Most make the mistake of not setting any boundaries between work and their personal life. But this is one of the biggest contributors to workplace burnout. Setting boundaries and practicing a good work-life balance is extremely important for your health and well-being.

Devote working hours exclusively for work. Clock in and clock out on time, and do not work afterward.

Play Music

If your job allows it, consider playing music that you enjoy while working. You will feel better, calmer, and it may relieve stress and pressure.

Socialize

Feeling isolated at home? Or maybe you’ve been too busy keeping up with your tasks in the office. If so, try socializing more with your colleagues during breaks. Interacting with others will boost your mood and feelings of well-being. Sharing a good laugh or a great conversation could go a long way for your mood.

Keep a Clean and Organized Workspace

Disorganization and clutter have negative effects on the brain. Plus, no one wants to work in an unhygienic and messy workplace. Make sure to throw away your trash immediately and don’t let clutter accumulate on your desk. A clean and organized workspace will improve focus and boost working memory

As for Help When Needed

Handling tasks independently is the key to achieving your work goals. However, if there’s too much on your plate, and you struggle to understand a certain task, asking for help is never a bad thing. Ask for help when it is needed and don’t let stress pile up.

Key Takeaway

Knowing how to stay mentally healthy at work will definitely keep you happier and healthier. Never make the mistake of overlooking your mental well-being in the midst of working hard to achieve your work goals. Looking for a healthy environment to start working in? Click here to read more about Workplays!