Homeworking: how to organize yourself

Choice of equipment, workspace, training... Here are some tips for staying efficient and organized while working from home.

‍

‍
Identify the equipment you need

If you do what is called “regular telework” (as opposed to occasional telework), your employer must provide you with the necessary equipment in order to be able to perform the tasks requested of you remotely. It must also cover the costs directly related to teleworking, in particular communication costs.

So be sure to discuss the equipment you need with your supervisor in advance: laptop, headphones, camera, etc. In principle, this is included in the telework agreement that you and your employer have concluded beforehand.

Set up a workspace

When working from home, it's important to be able to isolate yourself and avoid distractions, especially if other members of the household are around. It is essential to set up a comfortable and pleasant working environment to successfully complete your teleworking day. If you do not have a dedicated room, your mission will be to find a functional place, equipped with electrical outlets, preferably in a quiet place with natural light.

Another person may be teleworking at home at the same time as you. In this case, if you do not have two separate workspaces, you can opt for a room divider such as a shelf on wheels or partition panels sold in specialized stores.

Set rules for yourself

Since the boundaries are different, working from home can sometimes be disruptive. To keep a rhythm similar to the one you have at the office, do not hesitate to impose a few rituals on yourself.

If you're used to starting your day with a cup of coffee and a quick chat with colleagues, try to replicate this routine when you're working from home. For example, you can offer your available colleagues to check in remotely at the beginning of the morning.

Also, be sure to maintain standard working hours. Take a break at noon, and stop working your regular schedule when your day is over. We recommend that you keep clear boundaries between your work day and the rest of your free time.

Maintain the link with your colleagues

Maintaining a regular relationship with the other members of your team (who work in person or remotely) is very important to maintain a good work dynamic. It also allows you to self-motivate yourself if necessary and to stay up to date with what is happening within the company.

To stay in touch with your boss and colleagues, remote meetings, even short ones, are convenient. You can also opt to maintain communication via messaging applications (Skype, Teams...). If such tools are not made available to you by your employer, do not hesitate to suggest them.

‍

Ask to be trained

‍

You have the right to ask to be trained on topics related to teleworking. For example, this may include learning how to use the technical equipment you have at your disposal. You can also request specific training on the different ways to organize yourself when working remotely.

‍

Here are some organizations that regularly offer training on the subject of teleworking in Luxembourg:
‍
lifelong-learning.lu
‍orsys.lu
‍houseoftraining.lu
‍csl.lu.