While remote work can be effective and efficient, it also provides its own unique challenges. While some of us may have been seasoned remote workers prior to this time; others of us are newer to this experience and are probably starting to have the itch to return to our “old normal”. As we adjust to the new way we’re working, in a remote setting, it’s important to remember that this looks different for everyone. But, by having a plan that works for you, being proactive on your technology needs, and communicating, we can all be successful working from home during this crisis and in the future.
We caught up with a few members of our team who share what works for them! We hope this will help you as you continue to find your balance.
Planning for Your Remote Work Day
“I simulate the exact process I have when I’m in the office. I make a prioritized listing of responsibilities that need to be completed before the end of the day, remind myself of meeting schedule, then build in time for lunch.” – Kyle, Manager , Dallas
“I wear my comfortable lounge clothes and make my own breakfast. This way, I feel refreshed, comfortable, and fully engaged to work on my daily tasks. Towards the end of the day, I use the time I would have otherwise commuted to do some exercise/yoga with my young boys at home.” – Maggie, Senior Manager, Hong Kong
“Write yourself a goal list for the day and the week. Tick these off when they are complete or when you have made good progress. Additionally, be transparent and update your manager and your teammates with what you are doing and why. That helps to keep productivity high.” – Shaun, Senior Specialist, United Kingdom
“I wake up and get ready as if going into the office, sit down in a designated space such as a desk, and begin work!” – Cassie, Senior Manager, New York
“I write my to-do list of things I need to get done (first thing that morning and last thing I do before I’m done for the day), check emails, update list accordingly, and see what meetings I have that day. My Apple Watch keeps me moving once an hour so I don’t get stagnant.” – Kalina, Manager, St. Louis
Leveraging Technology in Your Home Office
“ I encourage a multiple monitor set-up in a quiet place, when possible. I always keep email and Teams visible on one screen to ensure timely response. This is not a necessary investment for working from home but definitely encouraged to promote efficiency. ” – Stephen, Associate Director, Atlanta
“I suggest taking any O365 training courses in order to get to know the possibilities of these tools as well as possible. They are extremely powerful and can make work easier, not more complicated.” – Lucas, Consultant, France
“I keep my office like an office – I even purchased the same monitor I use at work for my home office to maintain consistency!” – Miriam, Manager, Chicago
“Use video functionality as much as possible!” – Grace, Senior Manager, San Francisco
Other Tips & Tricks
“As we work on projects remotely, it is important to send very detailed emails and not hesitate to call the client to quickly resolve any misunderstandings or to make sure you are on the same page.” – Leila, Consultant, France
“I’ve found that jumping on the phone to have an impromptu discussion with a team member or client, just like you would if you were walking the halls of the office, helps keep the lines of communication open.” – Nicole, Managing Director, San Francisco
“I try to always have music playing in the background when I work from home so I can hear more than just the ticking clock.” – Louise, Human Resources, Australia
“I try to meal prep as usual so that I minimize preparation time for meals during the day. With that said, I still ensure I schedule time to take true breaks – not the bite and type kind. When you work from home, it’s your responsibility to not let yourself burn out and breaks are key!” – Cait, Manager, Philadelphia
“ I ensure that both my phone and laptops notifications are both in non-silent mode in order to not miss any messages and collaborative access.” – Nuvin, Managing Director, France
“Don’t only work, seriously. Often times, I hear people feel guilty for going on a 5-minute walk, making a coffee, or stepping away from their computer to eat lunch. Make sure you are staying energized to allow for smarter working habits.” – Will, Associate Director, Atlanta
“Get dressed in the morning so you can be presentable on video and feel good. Get outside too. Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you are chained to the table. Lastly, use all teams functionality — including whiteboard!” – Elaine, Director, San Francisco
At Protiviti, we are a global, mobile, flexible and dedicated workforce. While navigating the challenges presented daily by the developing COVID-19 pandemic, our teams are working from home to prevent the spread of infection and minimize risk to our broader communities.
Hear from More of Our Team
#MyProtivitiStory: We believe the best way to understand the core of our organization is through our people. These short videos are a reflection of our people’s stories and experiences.
Join Our Team
We’re looking for more great people – come join us on our journey! For meaningful career opportunities and open positions, visit Protiviti.com/careers.
To Learn More – Follow Us!
To learn more about our company culture, be sure to follow the hashtag, #LivingProtiviti, on your social platforms.
