Niche Recruitment

Posted by Niche Recruitment
3rd February 2023

Niche’s 8 Top Tips For Working From Home

In 2022, CIPD conducted research which surveyed over 1000 UK employers and found that more than three-quarters of respondents’ organisations (78%) allow hybrid working. In addition to this, the latest Bupa Global Executive Wellbeing Index, revealed that over a third (35%) of UK business leaders feel implementing hybrid working has increased productivity within their business.

If you’re reading this blog, chances are your employer is one of the many that have adopted the hybrid way of working. However, if you are new to the work-from-home lifestyle, it can take some getting used to before that increase in productivity begins to show.

Here at Niche Recruitment, our staff work on a hybrid basis, with the majority of staff working two-three days at home every week. A style of working we adopted in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the years, our team members have become experts in making the most of working from home.

So if you’re in need of some remote working advice, here are Niche’s top tips for working from home effectively;

1. Create a dedicated workspace

Data suggests that the average UK employee works eight hours a day, so you’ll want to ensure that your workspace is enjoyable to be in.

Although it might be tempting to sit on the sofa or be snuggled in bed, it’s essential to ensure you separate your work and leisure space. Find a quiet space away from potential distractions (TV, food, people). Making sure your workspace has a good amount of natural light is vital, as natural light is a great creator of the wonderful hormone we call serotonin.

Don’t’ forget to check that you have enough space and plug sockets to support the IT equipment you need to work efficiently.

2. Keep to a time schedule

When you’re working from home, it’s easy to find yourself still sat at your desk an hour after you should have finished, or checking your emails at breakfast. However, we recommend that you stick to your normal working hours. Routines are proven to help reduce stress and maintain a well-balanced lifestyle. Treat a day working at home just like you would a day in the office, once you’ve shut your laptop down, don’t go back to it.

3. Set a morning routine

Just because you don’t have to wake up early to embark on the commute to work doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make enough time to conduct your morning routine properly. Why not use that extra time in the morning to do some morning yoga or meditation?

By having a set morning routine, you’ll be able to start your day on a positive and relaxed note rather than rolling out of bed and heading straight to your desk.

4. Take clear breaks

When you’re working at home, it can be easy to cut your breaks short or to find yourself taking a break at your desk. However, this will most likely leave you feeling fatigued and unproductive for the rest of the day.

When it’s time for lunch, step away from your desk, if you can, and take your break in a separate room from the one you’re working in. This will maintain that work and life separation and allow you to change your setting and avoid being sucked back into work prematurely.

If you are able, the Niche team recommends going for a walk on your break, this might be a stroll around the block or down to the shops, but it’s a great way to get some movement and daylight into your day.

5. Call, don’t text

When you’re not surrounded by colleagues every day, it might sometimes feel like you’re out of the loop. The best thing you can do to prevent this feeling is to have team calls and catch-ups regularly, make sure you really show up to this and contribute.

When working on projects or tasks remotely, effective communication is key! That’s why we recommend calling your colleagues and team members rather than messaging them. Although messages are great for quick updates and questions, we all know digital messages don’t always get the right information across. Calls eliminate any risk of miscommunication and allow you to convey your points fully and clearly.

6. Set boundaries

If you share your workspace or home with others, it can be useful to communicate your needs and expectations for when you’re working. For example, if you live with other adults who are also working from home, explaining when you have meetings and the level of quiet and privacy you need is important to ensure you aren’t being disturbed.

7. Make a to-do list

This is a great tip, whether you’re working from home or in the office. Make it a habit to start your day by making a to-do list, this will help hold you accountable to the tasks you need to complete, allowing you to evaluate the level of productivity you achieved at the end of the day. (Not to mention that ticking off tasks is extremely satisfying!)

Here at Niche, we use Microsoft Teams, which means we can set task cards and tick off jobs as we go.

8. End your day with a routine

The same way we recommend you begin your workday with a routine, we recommend that you end your day with one too. Create a habit that signifies the end of working hours, such as going to the gym or simply making yourself a cup of tea. Whatever you pick, make it a habit to really separate the workday and your evenings.

We hope these tips will help you be your best working-from-home self! If you’re an employer and are still wondering if hybrid working is for your company, read our blog on the importance of hybrid working here.

If you’re a candidate looking for hybrid and remote job opportunities, contact us today!