When a 50-year-old man returned to Canada from Wuhan, China, on January 22, he presumably became the country’s first instance of Covid-19. Fast forward two months later; all of Canada’s ten provinces had cases of the virus.
While we are still uncertain whether there will ever be a Covid-19 vaccine, individual companies and the Canadian government are deploying the most effective weapon against new transmissions: social distancing. More companies are striving to integrate remote work and create additional physical space to accommodate on-site employees.
Although the Canadian economy will feel the virus’s ramifications for months to come, transitioning to remote work will reduce the number of new transmissions. It will also lessen the burden on Canada’s health system and provide researchers more freedom to develop treatments.
Ramp up Your Security
Successfully transitioning to remote work requires serious security considerations, especially for employees outside the technology sector. Without proper guidance, employees could fall victim to cybercriminals. You can significantly reduce your vulnerability by following these measures put forth by ENISA (European Union Agency for Cyber Security):
- Use separate devices for entertainment and work
- Be cautious of emails offering Covid-19 information, especially if they do not come from the government or a major health institution
- Verify that the emails you receive are from familiar, secure sources and avoid suspicious emails asking for credentials or any other personal information
- Practice basic security by ensuring your antivirus is up-to-date, backing up information frequently, using a secure internet connection and enabling encryption tools
Get the Right Tools for Remote Work
Although working from home has its fair share of hurdles, using the right tools can help maintain and even boost productivity. Here are some tools to help you with telecommunication, file sharing, organization and more:
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Google G Suite and Google Hangouts
- Slack Technologies
- Time Management Apps
How to Cope with Working from Home
Remote work presents psychological and technological issues, especially for employees new to working from home. The initial convenience of remote work can spiral into compromised communication, loneliness and poor time management.
According to a 2019 survey, remote workers had more productive time each day and worked 1.4 days more than on-site workers every month. However, they also reported higher cases of feeling anxious, stressed and extremely overwhelmed. This is mostly attributable to the difficulty of creating a healthy work/life balance is a remote worker.
To boost your productivity while maintaining optimal mental health as a remote worker, incorporate the following strategies.
Create a Schedule and Follow It
You can make your work feel less overwhelming by following a schedule that resembles your typical day in the office. Wake up at the same time every day, schedule regular breaks, and stick to an office-appropriate dress code.
Maintain Relationships
While it is currently not a good idea to meet people in person too often, you can stay in touch with your loved ones using technology. Regularly facetiming, calling or texting your loved ones can stave off feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Dedicate Some Working Space
Dedicating a small section of your house for work helps separate your professional life from your personal space and puts you in the right mindset for work. Although converting an entire room to an office is not feasible for some people, separation can be as simple as dedicating a specific table for work only.
Monitor Your Mental Health
There are many ways to maintain optimal mental health during isolation. Physical exercise, gardening and doing something creative can keep your mental health in check. However, if you feel too overwhelmed, then perhaps you should consider online therapy for relief.
