| Working remotely is different from working in an office setting, and often, telecommuting may not be what employees expect. It requires a set of specific skills and habits to work effectively from home. The following tips will help you work effectively from home. |
Understand Relevant PoliciesReview the telework-related policies and practices on the UCLA Staff Employee Telecommuting Guidelines webpage. Ensure that you have read and understood this information. |
Tips for telecommuting
Maintain Regular Hours and Set Daily Goals. Add structure to your day by developing an agreed-upon schedule with your manager. Stick to this schedule with the same dedication as if going into the office. Working remotely is very different from working in an office. Start each workday by setting daily goals and continue to track your progress. Communicate with your supervisor if you need to adjust your goals.
Create a Dedicated Workspace. It may feel tempting to sit on your sofa with your laptop, but you may not get as much work done as you’d hoped. Designate an “office” space from home by creating a quiet and secure place to concentrate on your work. Some suggestions for a designated office space are:
- Find a room in your home that is free from distraction (i.e. dogs barking, children watching television).
- A room with a door you can close. Consider having a “do not disturb” sign on your door so your family members don’t interrupt you during work hours.
Stay Connected. Working remotely does not mean you should stop connecting with your manager and colleagues. Staying connected will increase your engagement and you’ll feel like you are part of a team. Having team members that support and guide you contribute to increased productivity in your work. Feel comfortable and confident to call your supervisor or colleagues. Use online channels, such as Slack, to discuss things outside of work (i.e. sports, favorite books), or schedule a video chat via Zoom.
Prioritize Privacy. When you are working from home or a common area, take the time to ensure your workspace is private. Are others able to hear a confidential phone call? Can people see your computer screen? When stepping away from your workspace, did you put confidential information away from the public and in a secure place? Your privacy matters too, so look around you to make sure there is nothing you wouldn’t want your manager to see during a video conference call.
Maintain Trust. Respect the trust your employer has in you. Do not abuse a telework policy by watching movies and shopping online during your entire telecommute workday. Respecting and honoring the trust your employer has in you reduces stress, increases engagement and leads to higher productivity in your work.
Tools and Resources. Identify technology tools you will use in your daily work, and determine whether the resources will be accessible when working from home. Ensure you know how to access online tools remotely.
- Ensure you have access to high-speed Wi-Fi, a monitor or tablet, and video-conferencing software
- Ensure you have access to the UCLA Library and other campus resources via Virtual Private Network (VPN)
- Ensure you know how to access your UCLA Extension email
- Voicemail can be accessed through Voicemail Quick Reference Card (QRC)
- Campus Voice over Internet Protocol users may remotely forward an office number by logging into UCLA VoIP
- Access a secure cloud-based file sharing and storage service via UCLA Box
- Access Google Apps through Google Apps for UCLA
- Determine which platform(s) you will use to communicate with your team. UCLA Extension employees have access to UCLA Zoom and Slack
