Two years of remote work – EBF employees recently reached this mark. Despite a return to the office, the majority of employees will continue to work from home for 2 days per week – something that had already proved to be a positive experience for many. To ensure the continued success of working from home, EBF colleagues share their tips and tricks from two solid years of remote work.
Remote work is no longer compulsory. Companies are now free to decide which working models they offer to their employees. Many are looking forward to returning to the office – but do not want to give up their workplace at home.
Hybrid working models are the future. Companies can use them to provide their employees with more flexibility to choose when and where they work. Many employees are also starting to demand this level of flexibility. They want to decide whether to work from the office, from the home office, or from the café around the corner. Remote work will continue to play its part in the future – and will continue to necessitate special strategies. Working from home does not just have benefits. Mental health, a lack of social contacts, or a merging of home life and work are just some of the challenges associated with working from home.
The right strategies are required to meet these challenges. In this blog article, we want to share with you the best tips from EBF colleagues about working from home. The EBF team has worked pretty much completely from home for the last 2 years – experiencing and learning a lot on the way.
It is important to remember that not every tip applies to everyone. Our tips are meant to inspire and provide some guidance. Choose the tips that best suit you and the way you work.
How to make a success of working from home
Where it all happens
Many EBF colleagues have noticed that a well-equipped workplace is the basis for a productive working atmosphere. The relevant area of activity determines the equipment that is required. Employers can also support their teams. EBF provides all employees with a laptop, a headset, and a smartphone. External monitors are also a sensible acquisition for the home office. During the lockdown, all EBF employees were therefore permitted to take their monitors home.
Working in a separate room turns it into a calm space that helps to draw a line between work and home life. Of course, not everyone has a separate work area. Remote work often takes place at the kitchen table or in the bedroom. That is when it is even more important to delineate the boundaries between work and leisure.
My tip would be to ensure that you have a spatial (and psychological) separation between home life and work – for example, with a separate office space where you “just” work. If you work at the kitchen table, you should put your laptop away when you are finished.
Alexander Teutloff
Legal Counsel @ EBF
In addition to the technical equipment, a positiveand attractive workplace layout also proved beneficial for many. Calm, bright, and friendly – that’s how many EBF colleagues describe their dream home office workspace. Whether you prefer creative chaos or neat orderliness – the key is to feel at home while you are working.
I also want to feel comfortable when I am working from home – plants, fresh flowers, or other motivational aids help me in that respect.
Jacqueline Sann
Teamlead Office Management @ EBF
Structure and routine
Many EBF colleagues established fixed rituals and routines. These can include getting up at a regular time, or organizing working time at home. Fixed routines mean that we have fewer decisions to make – saving time and hassle.
Planning periods of focus in advance and putting these in the calendar for all to see also helps to increase productivity when working at home. It is important to set aside (fixed) periods of time for concentrated work, when you will not be disturbed by e-mails, phone calls, or chats.
I have developed a specific routine for my working days. I specify my working hours, by which I mean when I start and finish work or take breaks, in advance. That motivates me and allows me to work more productively.
Noel Salik
Project Controller @ EBF
Planning content and structuring tasks can also deliver added value. Whether you prefer a classic to-do list, checklists, or a weekly planner: Defining specific tasks in advance can help to retain focus, even during stressful periods. Defining specific tasks in advance can help To-Do Liste, Checklisten oder ein Wochenplaner. Geplante Tätigkeiten vorab festzuhalten, kann besonders in stressigen Zeiten helfen, den Fokus nicht zu verlieren.
Crossing out or ticking off completed tasks is fun and shows me what I have already achieved – that helps with motivation. Even better: Start the day off with the most difficult task. Once that’s done, the day can only get better.
Nathalie Klein
Marketing Managerin @ EBF
That was part one of our blog series about remote work productivity. Part two will follow soon, with tips about breaks, balance, motivation, and preparation.
Are you searching for a new challenge?
We are always on the lookout for new talent for our EBF team. Take a look at our careers page.
