PCFixShop Home Working - Some Tips on Working from Home

Working From Home

Many People are currently working from Home

Here are some tips from PCFixShop

Tips for Home Working

PCFixShop Working at Home Under Covid19

In 2024 the following is now for historical information - Covid19 Working
The spread of COVID19 is keeping people at home. Most of the UK has been on strict lockdown, several times and, even in places that are is differing tiers people are encouraged to stay at home. Where it's possible, employers are encouraging people to work from home for an indeterminate amount of time. If you're new to the work-from-home lifestyle, whether due to coronavirus or because you've managed to find a remote-based job, you'll need to change some of your habits and routines to make working from home a success.

I've worked from home for more than fifteen years, and I have many colleagues who've done it, too. We all face unique challenges, not only because we have different personalities, but also due to our various lifestyles and the type of work we do. Many of the core issues we face however, are the same. Everyone who works remotely has to figure out when to work, where to work, and how to create boundaries between work and personal life. What about office equipment, career development, training opportunities, and building relationships with colleagues? Working remotely, especially when working from home most of the time, means figuring out these issues and others. Here are a few tips for leading a better and more productive remote-working life, based on my experience and what I've learned.

Regular Hours

Set a schedule, and stick to it, most of the time. Having clear guidelines for when to work and when to call it a day helps many remote workers maintain work-life balance. That said, one of the benefits of remote work is flexibility, and sometimes you need to extend your day or start early to accommodate someone else's time zone. When you do, be sure to wrap up earlier than usual or sleep in a bit the next morning to make up for it.

Create a Daily Routine

Deciding you'll sit down at your desk and start work at a certain time is one thing. Creating a routine that guides you into the chair is another. What in your morning routine indicates you're about to start work? It might be making a cup of coffee and taking the time to actually enjoy it before you start looking at your to-do list. It might be returning home after a jog. It might be getting dressed (wearing pyjama bottoms to work is a perk for some, but a bad strategy for others). A daily routine can be more powerful than a clock at helping you get started each day. Remember not everyone who works from home follows a nine-to-five schedule. Yours might be a daily routine starting later in the day.

Set Rules With the People in Your Space

Set ground rules with other people in your home or who share your space for when you work. If you have children who come home from school while you're still working, they need clear rules about what they can and cannot do during that time. Additionally, just because you're home and can let service people into the house or take care of pets doesn't mean other family members should assume you will always do it. If that's how you choose to divide up the domestic labour, that's fine, but if you simply take it all on by default because you're home, you may feel taken advantage of, and your productivity will suffer.

Schedule Breaks

Know your company's policy on break times and take them. If you're self-employed, give yourself adequate time during the day to walk away from the computer screen and phone. A lunch hour and two 15-minute breaks seems to be the standard for full-time US employees. Don't short-change yourself during breaks, especially your lunch hour. You can use an app, such as TimeOut for Mac and Smart Break for Windows, to lock yourself out of your computer for 60 minutes. Or you can just launch a simple clock or timer on the screen when you take a break. If you return to your desk after only 40 minutes, walk away for another 20.

Exercise - Leave Home

To the extent that it's allowed and safe where you are during the COVID-19 outbreak, get out of the house, provided you can maintain social distancing of course. The same advice applies to people who work in traditional office settings, too. Leave the building at least once a day. Your body needs to move. Plus, the fresh air and natural light will do you good. You don't have to go to crowded public spaces to get away from your solo workspace (and you probably shouldn't right now, either). Take a walk. Weed the garden. You get the picture.

Ask for What You Need

If you're employed by a company or organization that supports your work-from-home setup, request the equipment you need as soon as you start working from home, or within a day or two when you realize you need something new. It's extremely important to set precedents early that you will ask for what you need to get your job done comfortably, including the right monitor, keyboard, mouse, chair, printer, software, and so forth. PCFixShop can assist with all of your IT Needs. Organizations that are accustomed to remote employees often have a budget for home office equipment. Ask what it is and how often it's renewed. It also doesn't hurt to ask whether there's a loan agreement or who will pay for return shipping or disposal of outdated equipment. If you're working from home unexpectedly due to coronavirus, ask for what you need within reason. You could be working from home for weeks on end and you should be productive, but ordering a new PC. Consider a new mouse and keyboard, plus a back-supporting cushion instead. For more tips on getting your PC working its best call us today 07766 461739

Keep an Office Space

In an ideal world, remote employees would have not only a dedicated office, but also two computers, one for work and one for personal use. It's more secure for the employer, and it lets you do all your NSFW activities in private. Not everyone has a separate office in their home, and keeping two machines isn't always realistic. Instead, dedicate a desk and some peripherals only for work use. For example, when your laptop is hooked up to the monitor and external keyboard, it's work time. When it's on your lap, that's personal time. You may want to go as far as creating a new profile on your hard drive just for work without all of the other distracting apps. If you require assistance with this PCFixShop can help.

Try Maintain a Separate Mobile or Land Line Phone Number for Work

Set up a phone number that you only use for calls with colleagues and clients. It doesn't have to be a landline, second mobile phone, or even a SIM card. It can be a free VoIP service, Skype number. Similar to some of the other tips, having a separate phone number helps you manage your work-life balance.

PCFixShop Homeworking Covid19 Guidelines

PCFixShop Computer Repairs announce with new restrictions locally. We are an essential service and can still repair your PC onsite while you are working from home. We will follow all your Covid19 rules as necessary. We wear face covering and will alcohol wipe your device afterwards. We ensure social distancing measures are maintained at all times. If you prefer, we will collect and return your computer - No Direct contact (left on your doorstep if required). Your PC will be returned, fully repaired, in a plastic bag already cleaned with alcohol wipes FREE - Don't forget while you work from home, we can also dial into your PC and fix it without visiting your home at all.
Call Steve now to book your slot 07766 461739