Coronavirus And The Prospect Of Working From Home: Helpful Tips

SEATTLE, WA — Amazon, Facebook, Google, Twitter and Microsoft are all encouraging employees in the Seattle area to work from home as concerns continue to grow about the spread of the new coronavirus in the Washington region.

In the past week, an Amazon employee in Seattle South Lake Union neighborhood tested positive for the new coronavirus, and Facebook announced Wednesday that a contractor who works at its Seattle offices had tested positive for the virus.

The precautionary moves by the Seattle-based tech giants have been the most-publicized changes by U.S. employers, but they have not been the only ones.

With many international cities shutting down and U.S. companies telling employees returning from high-risk areas to avoid the office, there is a chance that working from home might soon be a reality for Americans throughout the country.

Working remotely would be a new experience for many, but more people than you might guess already spend some of their week doing so. According to a 2018 report from IWG, a Switzerland-based serviced-office provider, 70 percent of professionals work remotely at least once per week.

Additionally, 53 percent of people work remotely for at least half of the week, the report found.

However, the prospect of working from home doesn't appeal to everyone. Estiven Rodriguez, who works for a major nonprofit in New York City, thinks he might struggle matching his usual productivity if required to work at home.

"I am more productive at work than when I'm at home," Rodriguez told Patch. "I have a higher sense of urgency to complete my daily tasks in the office, and I also have a more efficient setup in my office work space."

Telecommuting can sound like a daunting task to many, but Patch is here to provide you with some tips to help you best re-create your workplace environment at home.

• Strong Internet Connection

This might seem obvious, but a poor internet connection will leave you completely useless. It helps to work as close to your router as possible or, if all else fails, set up a hotspot.

You can set up a hot spot by connecting your computer to your phone for internet access, although it might not last for very long.

• Make A Work Space

If possible, work in a room in your home that isn't part of your normal living space. Your home may already be a much quieter space than your office anyway, and setting up a space that is dedicated to work should help you focus on the tasks at hand.

• Set A Schedule

Set office hours for yourself. Make sure to take breaks and go outside for a little vitamin D from the sun. Creating a schedule for yourself throughout the day should help you stay on task but also take the much-needed breaks to keep your brain moving.

• Chat With Co-workers

Working at home can be isolating, so it's important to feel like part of a team. Do your best to stay in contact with co-workers via messaging platforms, email and/or phone throughout the day. A little conversation always helps.

• Avoid Trying To Multi-Task

It might seem like a good idea to spend time getting your laundry done, washing dishes and cleaning your house, but the distraction in all probability will lead to mistakes in your work and take away from your focus.

• Morning Routine

In the morning, follow the same routine you would before going into the office: Make a cup of coffee, shower and change out of your pajamas to help you transition into your work mode.