Should we go back?
A few practical steps for remote working
Like everything we do, planning and preparation prevents pi… bad performance. Let’s look at the steps you AND your employer can take to safely work remotely:
- Complete a risk assessment of your current work activities and environment
Sadly, many people consider it the employers’ job to do all the work. By working together on the risk assessment, talking through it and discussing the practical ways to mitigate (get rid of) the risk, you will both get the conclusion you want
- Consider the location of your remote working station for maximum safety
Your boss is not going to pay for that extension on your house always wanted. Let’s get that one out of the way. Think about positioning your desk in a place where you are less likely to be disturbed, especially if your job involves a lot of sensitive phone calls or chats. The increased flexibility of working from home is a definitive positive to remote working. Then decide on a reasonable wish list of equipment or furniture you will need to keep doing your job.
- Discuss with your employer how your CURRENT physical or mental may be affected by remote working
Not everyone in the workplace has the best health. If you think that all these changes will dramatically affect your health, then maybe remote working is not the thing for you.
- Think about the impact of you working from home will have on your home life
We go to work in an office, usually to enhance concentration and compartmentalise work activities and home pursuits. But if your job is so demanding, it takes away your ability to care for your family or loved ones, it will become highly intrusive and your productivity in the workplace will plummet.
- Adopt a training schedule that allows you to safely use your work equipment at home
Safety is paramount, anywhere you work. As your employer is responsible for instruction, supervision and training so you can do your job. That means the employer has to help you adapt to the new workplace with training.
These few practical steps for remote working aren’t the only things you have to do, but it’s a start. The main thing to remember is that, as long as you and your employer work together, you will be able to work from home safely. We’ve also published a list of pros and cons for remote working which will make an interesting read on this topic.