As the coronavirus continues to spread, working from home is becoming the new norm for many U.S. employees. Big tech companies including Amazon, Google, and Apple announced that most of their workforce will be working remotely in an effort to slow down the spread of the virus.
During these uncertain times, creating a safe and clean work environment at home is critical to an individual’s health. Outlined below are safety tips and preventive measures employees can follow today to make their home clean and comfortable for work.
Disinfecting Your Home
- Use cleaning products that say “disinfectant” on the label — Some even advertise their effectiveness against coronaviruses specifically.
- Clean commonly touched surfaces and objects — Such as door handles, faucets, countertops, desks, pens, your computer mouse and phones.
- Sanitize dishes with specific dishwasher cycles or with food-grade products — After sanitizing, be sure to rinse with water any surfaces and objects that will come into contact with food.
Effectively Working from Home
- Choose a designated work area, such as a kitchen table — Trying to work from your bed or couch can be challenging, since such locations are associated with sleep and relaxation.
- Plan and test communication efforts — Whether it’s joining conference calls, logging into your computer, or connecting to a server, preparation helps you save time and limits stress.
- Take breaks when you need to — Just because you’re working from home doesn’t mean you can’t take breaks. Make sure you’re not spending more time at your workstation than you typically would in the workplace.
- Stay aware of your level of productivity — Working from home takes some getting used to. As you work, keep note of aspects you can improve and how your employer may be able to help.
As the situation evolves, more businesses may find their staff having to work from home by mandate. This is why necessary steps need to be taken now, so companies and workers can be prepared, safe and operational.
Click here to learn more. We encourage you to visit the CDC’s website for additional information related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).