In order to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Germany as much as possible, many companies have been requiring their employees to work from home since mid-March. For some employees it could work no other way if childcare provided by daycare and school ceases to be part of the equation. According to a recent study by the digital association Bitkom, 30 percent of German companies permit their employees to work from home[1]. For comparison: In 2014 the share was only 20 percent. Even when the coronavirus crisis is hopefully over in the future, working from home will remain an issue. 50 percent of those surveyed assume that the number of people working from home will remain the same over the next five to ten years and 43 percent expect that number to even increase.

However, working from home presents some people with unexpected challenges, but with our not so serious tips, everyone can work productively from home.

1. Choosing the right outfit

Get dressed as if you were going to work. This increases your motivation and makes it feel like you’re working as usual. If you sit at your computer with a sloppy appearance, you might also adopt a less serious attitude.

2. The perfect workplace

Set up a permanent workplace: Ideally at a desk with a chair that is comfortable, but also easy on your back. Separate this work area from the rest of your apartment so that it is only used for work. The bed is not a good place to work and should only be used for relaxation, not for work.

3. Ensure privacy

Currently, working from home means that the whole family is also likely to be home. So make sure that your children do not disturb you if you have an important video conference. Otherwise this could lead to some unpleasant incidents.

4. Take regular breaks, but don't overdo it

Even at the office you don’t work 100 % of the time and take a break or two, even if it’s just a quick chat with your colleagues. Of course, this does not apply at home, but you should still take regular breaks to help you remain focused and productive. It is best to take a short walk in the fresh air outside. However, be sure to adhere to your set working hours.

5. Keep in touch with your colleagues

Spending several weeks working from home can make you feel isolated quickly. So make sure to stay in constant contact with your colleagues. The best way is via video conference, because important things can be discussed much more efficiently and you have your team in front of you. A short daily update video chat is also very helpful for the distribution of tasks on the team.

However, make sure that the camera is really turned off at the end of a video conference.

If you set up your workplace at home and keep our tips in mind, hopefully there will be no more unpleasant incidents. Now it is a matter of handling your workload at home as effectively and reliably as possible. Collaborative office tools are the ‘winners’ of the coronavirus crisis and are being used more and more often. Whether it’s for communicating with colleagues, getting organized, or trying to work as normally as possible. Read here to find out which tools are particularly well-suited.