Remote work is the new norm as many of us have transitioned to home offices due to the coronavirus pandemic. As thousands of workers adapt to working at home, productivity is put to a test. The good news? A 2019 Harvard University study found that workers were 4.4% more productive “working from anywhere” than those with rigid workplace requirements.

Besides being legally mandated to forbid onsite work, businesses are implementing remote work policies to encourage #socialdistancing. This phenomenon — which has become a new business buzzword — is one of the only proven tactics for curbing the spread of COVID-19. In fact, 46% of American businesses have already implemented remote work policies over the past few weeks.

Widespread remote work will not necessarily lead to the demise of meetings and collaborative environments — that is, if we lean on 21st century tools and technologies. As many businesses race to cope with these uncertain conditions, we’ve compiled our best practices for workplaces and employees to maximize remote work productivity.

Best Practices for Businesses

Companies need to ensure they have the information technology and infrastructure needed to support employees in remote work environments. Here are a few tips businesses should consider:

• Leverage webinar platforms: Leading conference providers, including Cisco Webex, Zoom, LogMeIn and ClickMeeting, are offering extended free trials and licenses given the coronavirus outbreak.

• Crank up the communication: Remote work can invoke an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality and may often feel unstructured and isolating. According to a Buffer study of 2,500 remote workers, loneliness ranks as the second-most reported challenge for them. Businesses should prioritize face-to-face calls and regular check-ins between employees and managers. If there’s any debate over whether or not to share something, a good rule of thumb is to over-communicate.

• Clarify expectations for your team: Connect with key colleagues regarding work priorities, expectations, and success metrics. Will everyone be expected to work the same hours, and will all projects be the same going forward? 

Best Practices for Employees

Work-from-home veterans cite benefits like fewer interruptions from colleagues and minimal office politics. While #socialdistancing, here are some tips to make your remote workday more productive:

• Treat it like a real job: This means get off the couch — and definitely out of bed. To stay focused, remote workers should designate a space exclusively for work — even if that’s not a home office. Make sure you have a space well-equipped with the tools you need including double monitors, a wireless keyboard, and a mouse. Don’t be afraid to splurge on a comfortable desk chair or a hands-free headset.

• Establish a routine: First thing’s first: you should probably take a shower, eat breakfast, and put on some pants. Remote work may allow you to lounge around in your pajamas, but it doesn’t mean you should. Your morning routine and habits play a large role in determining your mindset for the rest of the day.

• Create structure: Many people believe remote work lends itself to slacking off, but people tend to work more from home because it's harder to "leave" work. In addition, remote workers often report having troubles unplugging after work hours. To avoid working 24/7, try to end work at the same time every day, mute any work-related notifications, and stash away your business devices.

• Manage distractions: Remote work can easily blur the line between your professional and personal life, so it’s best to set boundaries. Segment out what home or personal tasks you won’t do during work hours. If you live with roommates or family members, ensure they are aware of your schedule.

• Work in short bursts: Your typical day in the office is broken up by everything from meetings to coffee chats, from lunch outings to bathroom breaks. To avoid burnout, don’t forget to take short breaks. For instance, many workers prefer doing focused work in chunks of 45-60 minutes followed by a 5-10-minute break.

• Get moving: Walk the dog, take a brisk walk, or even empty the dishwasher — whatever gets you up and moving. Remaining active allows you to return to work feeling refreshed and more productive to tackle the rest of the day.

• Stay connected: There’s no dropping by someone’s desk or peeking your head into their office to ask a quick question when you work from home. On top of leveraging webinar platforms, you can use other platforms like Slack, Skype and Microsoft Teams to stay connected with your coworkers and managers. Ensure you set clear assignment deadlines, give regular progress updates to coworkers, and ask for feedback.

Embracing This New Reality

The coronavirus will subside eventually, but in the meantime, workplaces and employees should find ways to make the transition to working from home as seamless as possible. With a little thought, a lot of communication, and the right tools and technologies, remote working can be as fun as it is productive.