With Coronavirus ramping up, employers have to be on the ball and ready. If one person contracts the virus, it will have serious implications for your workplace and you are likely to be instructed to work from home. A few Brissie workplaces already have sent their entire team home and every day there is another story of someone being sent to work from home.

What’s your first thought? “Woohoo! Work in my PJs day!” Or are you thinking “Whoa, how am I ever going to be productive with Netflix and Tim Tams in my midst?”

Listen, we hear you. Tim Tams won’t be denied! But here are some ways you can kick your productivity into high gear and feel like a work-from-home martyr. It can be very satisfying, let us assure you!

Dress for success

That koala onesie is not going to help you feel ‘work-y’. Step out of your jim-jams and into your usual uniform or business garb and even put your shoes on. Brush your teeth, do your face and hair and hey, spritz your favourite perfume over yourself too.

Stick to your version of ‘9 to 5’

If your usual work hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm, then those are your work-from-home hours too. Routine is good, people! It helps us feel normal and part of a work community.

Get smart with breaks

At work, you often eat at your desk, right? Well you’re a work-from-home cat now. Give yourself half an hour for lunch and maybe step out on to your balcony or deck for a proper break. Phone a friend for a chat, hit the exercise bike, play with your dog, run up and down your steps for ten minutes; just don’t be tempted to turn on the TV (or YouTube … whatever you do, don’t head into ‘the tube’!)

Eat good stuff

Lucky for you, there’s no office vending machine stuffed with tempting treats at home. Stash your treats into an out-of-office-hours location. Fill your work-a-day belly with proper nutrition. Make extra for dinner and eat the leftovers for lunch. Stock up on pre-packaged soups (there are some yummy chilled ones available), whip up a wrap, assemble a fruit salad, spread some avo on crackers or make yourself a toastie. You could even make up an individual platter of cheese, fruit, vegie sticks, dip, olives and other goodies for an ‘ooh la la’ kinda lunch. Top tip: no wine, one needs one’s wits about one.

Limit pesky distractions

Your employer will naturally want you head-down-bum-up for your paid hours. Set your phone to ‘do not disturb’ while you’re on work time and add important work numbers to your favourites so they can get through, but social calls can’t. For the love of all that’s holy, avoid social media like, well, Coronavirus!

Communicating with the gang from work

You’re going to need to be in touch with colleagues. Email, Skype, Facetime, Zoom and the phone will be your best tools. Be responsive and request the same of others. Working blindly in this weird old climate is challenging enough.

If you have sick peeps at home and need support – we have candidates on standby.  Call the Appoint crew today – we’re here to help!