Since the emergency declaration, an increasing number of workplaces have introduced telecommuting (working from home). While working from home can be expected to reduce the spread of COVID-19, some people may feel confused because their work environment and lifestyle have changed so much from what they were used to. Here, we’ve put together some tips to make telecommuting (working from home) a little more comfortable.
Adjustment of environmental aspects
Work in as quiet and bright a place as possible and maintain a comfortable posture (e.g., adjust the height of the chair, put your back against the backrest, adjust the position of your arms and wrists.) It is also important to take regular breaks, exercise, schedule a time for lunch so that you can stay balanced, occasionally look at the distance to give your eyes a rest, and ventilate the room to change the air.
Adjustment points for the telework (telecommuting) environment
- Secure a bright and quiet place as much as possible.
- Maintain a comfortable posture (chair height, backrest, arm and wrist position).
- Ensurine regular breaks such as for exercise, and lunch.
- Rest your eyes.
- Ventilate the room.
Coordination of social aspects
When you work away from the workplace, you may feel isolated. It is said that teamwork and mutual trust are important for the effective implementation of telework (telecommuting) in the workplace as a whole). When telecommuting, it can be difficult to communicate non-verbally (vocal inflection and facial expressions) with the other person, which can lead to mutual anxiety. Consciously tell your thoughts and situations to others in the form of “confirmation” and “consultation”, that way, you can get concrete feedback and work with less anxiety.
In addition, it may be more difficult to communicate in an online meeting than in a face-to-face meeting. Advanced preparation, such as summarizing your opinions for each project and simulating possible questions, which will make it easier for you to communicate. When working away from the workplace, it is important to value “connection” as a team, and to communicate and share our feelings with each other.
Adjustment points for the social aspects of telecommuting (working from home)
- Proactively communicate your thoughts and situations in the form of “confirmation” and “consultation” to people involved in your work.
- Prepare in advance for the online meeting (summarize your opinions and possible questions).
- Emphasize that you share each other’s feelings and value “connection” as a team.
Reflections
It’s natural to feel stressed out as you continue to work in an unusual environment, such as telecommuting (working from home). Instead of putting up with that stress, try adjusting the environmental and social aspects of telecommuting, to create a more comfortable working environment for yourself.
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The content of this article is based on the information provided below.
International Labor Organization. Ergonomic tips when teleworking.
https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/multimedia/video/institutional-videos/WCMS_740265/lang-en/index.htm-en/index.htm
International Labor Organization. keys for effective teleworking during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Available at: https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_739879/lang–en/index.htm
