As organizations across the globe quickly shift to remote work structures, employees that were accustomed to working in a centralized location are finding themselves in a new world of work—in their home. The reality is that the fundamental needs for successful and engaged employees have not changed: clarity, communication, and consistency are always going to be essential, remote or not.
At EMS Consulting, we have been working remotely for TWO decades… yes, 20 years! Here are our top tips and tricks to working remotely.

1. Maintain Regular Hours

Set a schedule, and stick to it. Having clear guidelines for when to work and when to call it a day helps many remote workers maintain a work-life balance. Working from home benefits is flexibility. Sometimes you need to extend your day or start early to accommodate someone else’s time zone. Also, don’t stay in pajamas. Instead, follow your normal routine by having breakfast, taking a shower, and getting dressed. Then, make a list of sensible tasks for the day and get started.

2. Keep a Dedicated Office Space

Ideally, you want a space without any distractions. An extra monitor, external mouse, and keyboard are essential. Regardless of space or location, establish an area of your home where you will work, and commit to working in this space every day. Be sure your workspace is quiet so you can focus on the task at hand.

3. Overcommunicate

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate! Working remotely requires you to overcommunicate. Tell everyone who needs to know about your schedule and availability often. When you finish a project or important task, say so. There are many ways to communicate via e-mail, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, or GoToMeeting.

4. End Your Day With a Routine

Just as you should start your day with a routine, create a habit that signals the close of the workday. It might be a sign-off on a business messaging app, an at-home workout class, or a walk around your neighborhood. Regularly stretching helps you maintain great posture. At a minimum, stretch throughout the day so you don’t get sore or hinder your quality of life.