Five ways you can set up a productive work space at home

Apr 20, 2020

Payworks HR Team

Dedicated to fostering an innovative and inclusive environment to empower and support our hundreds of employees nationwide, our HR Team is made up of industry experts who bring a diverse breadth of experience and perspectives to the business.

You’re likely reading this from “the comforts of home.” The spread of the novel coronavirus and the implementation of social distancing measures mean we have all had to adjust our usual routines. When we would usually be reporting to our desks, instead we find ourselves working from our couches or at our kitchen tables. At times, you may feel completely out of your element and find it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.

The key to work-from-home success is to create an environment that allows you to focus, which we know is easier said than done with distractions around. That’s why we’ve compiled five ways to set up a productive space for those of us who are now working from home:

1. Create an area just for you

Allocating a designated space for work within your home goes a long way. You don’t have to have a home office outfitted to replicate your cubicle, but a space away from the high traffic parts of your home that has a suitable surface for your computer, notebook, phone, post-its (and coffee or tea, of course!) helps to separate your work life from your personal one.

2. Soak up the sun and vitamin D

Do you ever find yourself a little down on a dreary day? The amount of light we’re exposed to actually has a direct correlation with maintaining a positive outlook and sense of well-being. When picking your designated work area, try to find a spot where there’s a mixture of natural and artificial light. You’ll need overhead lighting for the darker hours of the day and likely a table lamp for added illumination.

3. Find yourself a plant friend

Hang them in the window or plop them on your desk and discover all the wonderful ways they benefit your day. Studies have found that people are 15% more productive, 37% less anxious, and 58% less depressed when there are houseplants around. Plants also make people healthier by naturally cleaning toxins from the air.

4. Don’t slouch

Everyone’s mother used to say it, and the reality is that physical discomfort can really disrupt your day. Small adjustments made to how we have our home workstation set up can make all the difference. Here are some tips:

The top of your computer screen should be at eye level.
Position your keyboard so your forearms are parallel with the floor.
Your feet should rest firmly on the floor.
Reduce eyestrain by staring at something 20 yards away for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes. It’s the 20-20-20 rule.

5) #Balance

Try to balance work with life. We say “try” because we recognize that school and daycare closures create big challenges for families trying to work from home and in confined spaces. There will be interruptions and a multitude of distractions. We suggest allocating hours for family and work time, and post those somewhere visible in your home. Try to set up others in your household for success with their own daily schedules and with activities during those hours you need to dedicate to work. But above all, remind yourself it’s ok to be flexible during this time.

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