As community quarantine to stem the transmission of COVID-19 takes effect in most regions of the Philippines, many companies have resorted to having employees work from home (WFH) until health and safety is assured and mandate from government is lifted. To guarantee business continuity, companies are ensuring telecommuting infrastructure is in place and employees are expected to deliver expected outputs.
Edwin Marfil, Chief Information Technology Officer of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), shares that companies with agile cultures will have an easier time transitioning to this setup. In RAFI’s case, he says, “by default, RAFI is evidently agile – from our workplace set up, our internal polices, our equipment and particularly our cloud based IT infrastructure. Right now, the most important tool being used by the team members of RAFI during this pandemic situation is the teleconferencing capability designed for internal communication.”
There are multiple tools available online that can make virtual work effective and working from home becomes productive. More than the infrastructure, a new paradigm of being able to contribute to the company remotely needs to be embraced. Below are some tips to make the most of working from home:
- Make a routine. Just like going to work on a regular day, make it a point to keep on schedule. Take your breakfast at the usual time, take a shower, and get dressed before getting started. At the end of the day, make sure you record your output just like you do at work. It is business as usual.
2. Create a space. Have a designated area where you can sit comfortably, with a table and a socket nearby to support your electrical requirements. This will also send the right signal to your housemates that when you are in this space, you are to be left alone. This will help minimize distractions.
3. Check in with colleagues. The biometrics machine may not be on hand, but it’s still best to let your colleagues know that you are available. Check in with them through your group chat the moment you begin your working day. Ensure your online status reflects your in-person status. Integrity is key.
4. Decrease your carbon footprint. Limited social circulation is a byproduct of home quarantine. Make sure you abide by this regulation so that you do not get infected or infect others. To bring your social responsibility to a deeper level, see how you can impact the environment positively. Check out RAFI’s Biodiversity Conversation Unit at www.rafi.org.ph. At this time of crisis, we are called to be kind.
5. Pause when necessary. One perk of WFH is that you can pause when needed. If you are not on the front lines during this time of crisis, taking a short pause amidst the obsession with productivity is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Most breakthroughs come after moments of silence and self-reflection. After all, according to some accounts, Isaac Newton developed calculus while on quarantine. Who knows what you will come up with!
