Well-being while working from home

Create a work schedule

• Get dressed as if you were going to work, don’t stay in PJ’s or sweats all day.
• Make a space just for your work, it may only be a certain area on the kitchen table.
• Talk with family and let them know when you are at work and cannot be disturbed. Make some sort of sign (maybe colour cards, a scarf tied around the doorknob, etc.) to show when you can and cannot be bothered and when you may or may not answer.
• Transitioning from work to personal time: keep regular hours as you do at work. When you close your laptop, you’re finished for the day.

ZOOM meetings

• Be warm and friendly while staying professional, depending on your relationship with the person (friend/manager).
• Give a pat on the back to your co-workers. Everyone needs encouragement and positive feedback during these times.
• Keep your private life as private as possible. Consider using a personalized background to keep your work space at home private. Keep in mind that it is difficult to avoid interruptions at all times, so, if it happens, apologize, calmly take care of it, and get back to work!

Workload

• With your manager, discuss your job responsibilities, priorities, etc. and negotiate when needed.
• Give yourself the chance to be productive.
• Have confidence in yourself.
• Allow yourself to not be perfect.
• Remember, you need to look after yourself before you can look after others.

– Submitted by Jean Nagy and reviewed by the College Nurses.