Top tips for working from home
The last year has seen a seismic shift in our working practices. During the pandemic, the daily commute became a distant memory and the only time we saw our colleagues was over Zoom.
Such a profound paradigm shift in how we work has had both pros and cons. Many businesses are seeing the value of home working with lower costs and no reduction in productivity and, simultaneously, employees are favouring remote working for the promise of a better work-life balance. Working from home, at the very least, says goodbye to that commute and the frustrations it often involves.
But there’s no denying that the change of scenery has been an adjustment for some, and our working practices have needed some time to adjust accordingly. If you’ve wondered how to manage working from home, here are some practical tips.
Create a productive workspace
Your workspace will be key to ensuring that you remain productive and focused throughout the day. If possible, try to find a space that’s solely dedicated to work: set aside a room for work, and if that’s not possible, a quiet corner that’s free from disruption will also serve you well.
Your workspace doesn’t have to be fancy – as long as it’s functional and there’s space for your laptop, you don’t need to go running out to IKEA to splash out on a new setup (unless you fancy an excuse for some meatballs).
Maintain a healthy-work life balance
With business and pleasure so closely intertwined, it’s not always easy to set your boundaries and keep the two separate. That’s why it’s important to keep your workspace away from the rest of your home (if possible) and be strict with your business hours.
There’s no reason to see your working arrangements any differently than before: stick to your normal hours if they serve you well, leave your desk on your lunch break and once you’re done for the day, log off as you normally would. Don’t be tempted to peek at your emails – whatever’s sitting in your inbox can wait until the morning.
Stay connected
Just because you don’t share an office with your colleagues anymore doesn’t mean you don’t have to feel close to them. Instead of defaulting to sending an email, arrange a team meeting to help you feel more connected, or organise a coffee break. And say yes to that Zoom quiz!
Be aware of what you can claim
Did you know that you can claim tax back for working from home? Before the 2020 lockdown, it was the case that if your employer required you to work from home, you could claim back a flat rate (currently set at £6) to help with costs such as electricity and broadband.
HMRC has since changed the rules, meaning that if you’re working from home for even a day, you can claim a whole years’ entitlement to expenses. However, it’s worth noting that in order for you to claim these costs, you must be able to justify that you have incurred expenses.
If you’re in doubt about what you can and can’t claim, speak to an accountancy professional, who can advise you further. Experts like SJD Accountancy have been providing tax and legislation advice for almost three decades and are well-placed to support you with your queries and to help you make the most of your money.