Working from home and the art
of making a good in-house office

Italy is usually at the bottom of the European ranking as a home-working favourable country. However, Italians are the best when it comes to making the most out of an unfavourable situation. After the measures put in place to counter the spread of Coronavirus, many Italians have been transformed into smart workers. This work method can be advantageous for both companies and workers and there are those who believe that it will continue to be applied after the emergency will be over. Now we must stay home but meanwhile we can learn how to be efficient and happy working remotely and this may help us also in the future.

While working from home, we create a new daily routine. Time and space change, as well as the way of relating with colleagues. It is advisable to set up a timetable and try to keep your work schedule as much similar as it used to be. Now we save some time not having to travel to the office, so we can use that time to take care of ourselves, doing online yoga or fitness classes, or simply spending quality time with family. We should also remember to take a break during the working day, have a proper lunch, and try to have a balance between work and personal life.

Another important aspect of the remote work method is not wearing pyjamas all day! Let’s wear something comfortable that makes us feel good but also professional. It may seem like a minor detail, but indeed it is one of the easiest ways to incentive concentration and productivity. Also, you could fall asleep after lunch if you are still wearing your pyjamas…

It is crucial to set up a well-organized workplace. If you have a desk or a console table you are already well underway, but a dining table will also be fine. Clear the table of any items that you don’t need (and that could be a distraction) and find space for everything you need to carry on your activities. For example, laptop, notebook, pens, documents etc. If you like, you could also print a nice picture of yourself with your family and friends and keep it on the desk. It may be a good symbol of the good times that will soon get back.

Speaking of chairs now, as you will spend many hours of your days sitting at a desk in your house, it is crucial choosing a comfortable chair. The best are chairs that have a solid back but a padded seat so you can feel comfy while you work. You can also use your bedroom’s chair if you created the workplace in the sleeping area; otherwise a soft armchair in the living room is also fine.

Video calls will be a consistent part of your day to communicate with colleagues, customers and suppliers. So, don’t forget to look after your image – if you put on nice clothes and some makeup you will feel better yourself and you will look more professional. Also, keep an eye on what’s behind you, as people can see it. Make sure the bookcase is well-organized, put on the wall pictures and posters you like. These will be your best business card right now.

Let’s all keep in mind that these difficult times will pass, but now we can learn something from the situation. Working remotely is useful and it may be in the future as well.