The latest on all kinds of information, news, and resources that help you make working remotely better.
Majority of employees, remote work remains a core part of their day-to-day life because, even when you work fully in-person if you have a colleague joining from home, you inevitably get sucked into a remote work dynamic. For many, this continues to be a challenge — remote work has its own specifics regarding communication, collaboration and general etiquette, which don’t come naturally to everyone.
So here are eight little things anyone can do to improve their remote work experience and that of their colleagues.
1.Make your availability known
Are you out for lunch? Picking up kids from school? Do you have irregular working hours? While remote work’s flexibility is one of its best features, ensure your team is informed about when you’ll be in work mode to avoid misunderstandings, missed messages and schedule clashes.
2. Document processes
Since much remote work collaboration is asynchronous, try to document processes, decisions, and strategies so that anyone in the team can find their footing at any time. If you don’t, there’s a risk of confusion and repetition — teammates might miss updates, and managers might grow tired of explaining the same things to everyone individually to get people on the same page.
3. Don’t forget about time zones
Americans may be accustomed to time differences between coasts, but with the rise of remote work, your team may have added some international talent. Emilia from Finland won’t be available for your afternoon catch-up because her day ended hours ago — and unless it’s been previously agreed upon, you shouldn’t expect her to be.
4. Use the same software and tools as your colleagues
Remote work and communication necessitate a variety of technologies for collaboration, work, and management. If everyone starts using whatever they like, it’ll sow frustration, impair cybersecurity and leave information scattered.
5. Don’t browse social media during meetings
That’s it — that’s the whole tip. You know it’s counterproductive and affects the overall quality of the meeting and your information retention capacity. Will you stop doing it after reading this? Let’s be real — probably not.
6. Avoid common video conferencing issues
Mute your microphone when you’re not talking, test your connection and tech beforehand, show up on time, turn on your camera, be presentable and ensure your background is as well. By now, we all know these video conferencing best practices, but very few people take the time to practice them. As a result, it’s extremely common for calls to get disrupted by basic tech issues, sowing frustration and impeding communication.
7. Respect different working styles
Everyone has their own ways of working that suit them best. Some people are gifted multi-taskers who want to know everything that’s going on and be constantly in the loop. Others thrive in deep work, and a single distraction can reduce their productivity.
8. Regularly celebrate wins
It’s no secret that remote workers struggle with loneliness. One of the chief arguments against remote and hybrid work is that it hampers team bonding and the development of a healthy company culture.
A great place to start is celebrating wins — develop a shared virtual ritual that involves the entire team and helps people connect.
These eight tips will significantly boost your team’s efficiency. But remember that for them to be effective, they need to become foundational to your operation. It’s not a one-and-done kind of thing but rather an ongoing collective effort to improve everyone’s working environment.
Snacks to success: Bites for happier employees | Nana Vijayaraghavan, Peoplematters.in
While healthy snacks may have been considered virtue signalling a few years ago, today they symbolise an investment in employee wellbeing by offering intentional positive lifestyle choices. These snacks, rich in nutrients and devoid of empty calories, fuel productivity and promote sustained energy levels throughout the workday. Moreover, they foster a culture that values health-conscious decisions, encouraging employees to prioritise their wellbeing amid the demands of their professional lives. In this way, healthy snacks serve as more than mere sustenance; they become emblematic of a company culture that prioritises the holistic wellness of its workforce, laying the foundation for a thriving and resilient community.
Significance of healthy snacks
Supporting positive mental health: Research indicates that incorporating healthy snacks such as fruits, nuts, whole grains, and dried fruits can mitigate the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress. By offering these wholesome options, employers can actively support the mental wellbeing of their workforce, resulting in reduced absenteeism, elevated morale, and increased job satisfaction.
Increase in employee productivity: While processed snacks like fried foods, sugary drinks, and candies can induce lethargy and contribute to weight gain, healthy alternatives offer essential antioxidants and nutrients that bolster the immune function, sustain energy levels, and promote overall vitality. Employees who opt for nutritious meals are less prone to experiencing energy crashes or feelings of lethargy throughout the workday, ultimately leading to heightened productivity and sharper focus.
Employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention: Sharing healthy snacks can foster stronger relationships and build social connections, benefiting both happiness and health. Today’s workforce prioritises well-being, and companies that invest in initiatives like nutritious snacking show genuine care for their employees. This fosters a positive corporate reputation, appealing to both current and potential hires. Employees feel valued and supported, leading to increased engagement, collaboration, and a positive organisational culture.
Healthy snacking is just one of the many ways by which organisations can communicate their social responsibility and commitment to a healthier society and community. By investing in the holistic wellbeing of their employees, organisations pave the way for sustained success, innovation, career vitality, and growth.
8 Ways to Deal with Overwork and Burnout at Work | Hara Estroff Marano, Psychologytoday.com
Prioritizing mental health and setting boundaries around work are critical first steps. Cultivating healthy habits like regular breaks, time off, and mental health check-ins can go a long way.
1.Set boundaries and prioritize work-life balance. Be intentional about establishing clear boundaries between your work and personal time. Avoid the temptation to constantly be “on” and make time for rest, relaxation, and activities you enjoy.
2. Practice self-care. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat nutritious meals, and incorporate physical activity into your routine. These basic self-care practices can go a long way in managing stress and preventing burnout.
3. Take breaks and vacations. Use your paid time off and encourage your colleagues to do the same. Consider taking mental health days to recharge your batteries and replenish your energy.
4. Seek social support. Talking through your struggles can provide much-needed perspective and stress-relief. Research shows that social support from contacts in your network is significantly and positively associated with salary and promotions, too.
5. Manage your workload. Prioritize your most important responsibilities. Use your calendar to block off time for specific projects. To avoid interruptions, take advantage of your automatic response to emails. At the end of each day, take a moment to clear your desk and desktop and organize your to-do list for the next day. Managing your workload is an important aspect of self-care.
6. Explore mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help calm your mind and body when you feel overwhelmed, paving the way for creative thinking, problem-solving, focus and concentration, and ethical decision-making.
7. Ask for professional help. If you’re experiencing significant burnout or mental health challenges, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Most employers offer an EAP as part of their benefits package. It is free and confidential to employees and immediate family members, for support with mental health and any other personal challenges in your personal or professional life.
8. Advocate for change at work. If your workplace culture significantly contributes to your burnout, speak up. While it is a sensitive topic, approach it from a win-win viewpoint.
Mental health is our most precious resource. By being proactive and making mental health a top priority, you can combat overwork and burnout. With the right self-care strategies and workplace support, you can reclaim a healthier, more sustainable way of working.
Here are three high-paying, in-demand side hustles to consider according to Kristof and Daniella Flores, founder of side hustle blog I Like to Dabble.
SEO consulting
Search engine optimization helps websites gain more traffic by considering keywords people type in to look for like content. If you’re interested in learning how it works, there are all sorts of online courses on sites like Coursera and tutorials by Google itself.
SEO experts on Upwork are currently charging as much as $250 per hour.
Cybersecurity
With so much of people’s lives happening online, “cybersecurity is in extremely high demand and that will probably last forever,” says Kristof, adding that “the threats become more sophisticated and tougher to stop.”
Cybersecurity experts on Fiverr are charging as much as $1,480 per project.
Coding
Finally, another high paying hustle in the tech world is coding. “The part-time demand for it is so high, especially with AI and the need to train all of these new AI platforms,” says Flores, who goes by they/them pronouns.
Many people in the field have degrees in computer science, but that’s not necessarily a prerequisite. There are coding boot camps available online through sites like Codeacademy and various universities, and they can be enough to get started.
Coders on Upwork are charging as much as $200 per hour.
Worksnaps 