Organizations everywhere are figuring out how to best re-introduce technologists to the office. Many team leaders and executives have settled on a hybrid work schedule, which means that technologists will split their week between working from home and heading into the office. Still other companies have decided to let their employees work remotely full-time.
Whether you’re likely to have a hybrid or fully remote schedule, remember the following tips, taken from Dice's Ultimate Guide to a Successful Technology Career.
Set Your Schedule
Evaluate which times of day you perform at your best; if you’re more of a morning person, for example, talk with your manager about starting your at-home workday a little earlier than your colleagues. Make sure your manager and colleagues are aware of your start and end times: A clear schedule with set start and end times (you will need to be responsible for keeping to these, especially when remote) are keys to staving off burnout. Set times will also help your manager and colleagues know the best times to interact with you.
You Can Negotiate Your Workload
As companies settle into new routines, you have an opportunity to evaluate your current workload with a critical eye. Are you overloaded? Are your skills better-suited to different tasks? Starting remote or hybrid work is a good opportunity to talk with your manager about your daily workflow.
Make a Point to Engage
If you’re working from home either part- or full-time, it’s easy to lose contact with colleagues and even your manager. Go out of your way to interact with other team members, even if it’s lunch or an informal chat. Quick check-ins with your manager can also go a long way.
Practice Self-Care
You’ve probably heard that one of the keys to successfully working from home is ensuring you have an effective sleep and exercise schedule. It’s also important to schedule “micro-breaks” throughout your day, even if it’s just getting up every few hours to take a walk around the block. Encourage meetings to wrap up a few minutes before the scheduled end time, so that people can more easily transition to their next meeting or task.
Create the Ideal Home Office
If you’re going to spend at least part of the week working from home, it’s important that your home office meet all of your needs. You can talk to your manager about assistance (including a stipend for furniture and equipment) in making your workspace the best it can be.
These tips apply to all technologists at every stage of their career, whether you’re just starting out or senior management; hybrid and remote work is an opportunity to tailor your job to fit your work-life needs.
