Work from Home Tips and Best Practices

  • Maintain an organized workspace. If possible, setup a dedicated space to limit distractions.
  • Try to keep the same schedule/routine as when you go into the office (wake up time, getting ready, breakfast, lunch break, warp up at the same time, etc.).
  • (This is also a virtual meeting best practice) Be present in meetings by temporarily disabling desktop and smartphone notifications. Set Do Not Disturb on iPhones, Androids, and Focus Assist on PCs
  • Eat healthy - avoid high sugar foods, avoid relying on energy/protein bars as a meal replacement (they do make good snacks though). Eat fruits/veggies.
  • Get outside - take a meeting while walking. Exercise over lunch.
  • Ergonomics are important
    • Use a large book to elevate your laptop to eye-level.
    • Consider investing in a standing desk (contact Kurt Haring on Slack - he has a discount code for a standing desk that he's using).
    • Invest in an ergonomically friendly office chair.
  • If you need computer equipment (laptop stand, bluetooth mouse/keyboard, external monitor), please reach out to Mike Louis. Here are some recommended products from our team:
  • Use video whenever possible during meetings. You will connect better with the people you are meeting with. Reading facial expression will give you more information during a meeting.
  • If managing schedules with spouse/kids, coordinate the previous day for the next day. Decide who will work when, who will watch the kids, etc.
  • Set expectations with family (I'll be working from X to X, in a meeting from X to X). The kids are going to come into your meeting at some point, it's ok, we're all going through the same thing.
  • Block schedule and let your team know over slack when you aren't available (e.g., when you need to make lunch for your kids).
  • Be flexible and mobile. If your kids are playing outside, take your meeting from your phone so you can keep an eye on them.
  • Home Wifi bandwidth - our devices connect to certain wifi channels by default. If you find yourself running up again bandwidth constraints, move some devices onto a separate channel (e.g., 2.4 or 5 GHz channels).
  • Society of HR Managers article about working from home with kids

Resources for Working Parents with Kids at Home

Other Resources