Q My senior directors have allowed me to work from home full time. As a manager, what disciplines can I implement that will ensure I remain focused and prevent me from getting distracted?
AIf you work from home you can be susceptible to distraction, and as an employer you may feel concerned about an employee’s work-rate away from the office. It is imperative that both parties take action to ensure work is being completed at full capacity and that performance levels do not fall.
The main problem is concentration. With the distracting lure of daytime TV and the tantalising amount of amusing cat photos on the internet, at times it may feel impossible to stay on task. Nevertheless, you must strive to maintain focus by following a simple set of rules.
Create an environment you can work in. If you do not have a room assigned as an office at home then consider creating one, or find a clear, well-lit, flat space where you can use your PC and have any paperwork to hand.
By having an organised working environment away from distractions, you give yourself a better chance of concentrating on your work.
As part of getting into the right mind-set for work, it can help to put on smart clothes that feel more appropriate for a working environment. This does not necessarily mean wearing a suit, but putting on a shirt and dressing for the part can help remind you that you are actually at work.
You may have various family commitments to uphold while working from home, such as taking your children to school, which are acceptable parts of everyday life.
However, problems can arise when you have children off school or partners at home who are likely to disturb you. You must make it clear that your working environment is to be respected, and that for specific periods of the day you are not available.
As an employer, it is your responsibility to keep employees working at home active and involved in what is going on in the business to prevent them feeling isolated.
Key targets should be agreed and regular contact should be made through phone calls and face-to-face meetings when possible. Any homeworking issues can be addressed or forestalled by implementing agreed policies.
David Price is managing director of Health Assured
