As we are all in danger of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its adverse effects have taken the world by storm, Nirvana Canada, like many other companies, has asked their employees to work from home.

We understand that the spread of COVID-19 has affected people in every corner of the world, and Canada is no exception; the benefits of working from home to help flatten the curve of this global pandemic have been demonstrated already. But we must continue to stay home to keep the trend going. Here, we share five useful tips for working remotely during the COVID-19 crisis:

Establish Your Space: A dedicated workspace can be considered an important element of working from home. By giving yourself an area in your home that is designated as a more professional zone, you will intuitively switch to work mode, regardless of where that space is located. You must ensure the area in which you have chosen to work is in neat condition and well-organized.

Set up a Schedule: It comes as no surprise that the COVID-19 crisis is challenging many Project Managers. Many of them believe that they won’t be able to achieve 100% productivity unless they are present physically in the office and able to supervise their team. When you set up a defined schedule, it will allow your team members to plan effectively, to the benefit of the company’s productivity and growth. Also, it can act as compelling evidence for your employer that you are on target, ensuring them of timely deliverables.

Make Sure You Check in Frequently: It pays to communicate with your boss, regularly keeping him or her updated on everything you are doing. Even if your schedule is likely to change, keep up the communication to them. Also, keep in touch with your team members often. When every one of you is working remotely, it is extremely effective to keep the communication happening on Slack or any other messaging platform.

It’s Good to Wear Pants: Now that more and more people have taken to working from their homes, a lot of jokes have been flying around that people don’t even think about getting dressed for work anymore, or they have been working in their pyjamas. But it’s important to maintain hygiene and stay professional, even at home. This will help you stay in the work mindset, as well as make sure you will be presentable in case you are called for an impromptu video conference.

Stick to Your Goals: It is not an overstatement to say that we’re in a crisis and it is natural to feel a bit overwhelmed, considering the situation in which we have found ourselves. However, make an effort to stick to your goal of delivering what you are supposed to, as well as keeping up with job security. Ask your manager for the right tools, resources, and anything you might need at this unusual moment to effectively meet your work obligations.

At Nirvana Canada, we urge all our employees, business partners, and clients to stay safe during these tough times, while taking the necessary preventative measures to maintain physical distancing and avoid coming into contact with the deadly COVID-19 virus.