Working remotely
VSHNeers are free to choose to work remotely or at the office.
Working remotely is part of the work culture at VSHN. This page collects all you need to know about working remotely as a VSHNeer. Especially during COVID-19 we found out that even with everyone being remote everything works out very well.
Rules
Some rules for working remotely:
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Keep your SOGo calendar up to date.
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Let others know in the #virtual-presence chat channel when you start and end your work day.
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Also let them know if you are taking a longer break (for example 30 minutes) outside of the common lunch time (most people do it usually between 12 PM and 13 PM). If you are on interrupt handling duty, follow their specific availability rules.
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Have Zoom and Chat open regularly.
Socializing
In times when we don’t meet each other regularly, here are some ideas to stay in social contact:
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Tell others where you’re currently located if you change your work location from time to time.
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Meet regularly in Zoom for a "coffee break."
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Post funny stuff in the #off-topic channel.
Tips and Tricks
Get yourself a comfortable working space
It should be comfortable and follow your preferences; you’ll spend the most of your time there.
Work out your routine and stick to it
Figure out your daily routine for getting work done, and bring yourself up into work-mood.
Develop your "starting day" routine. Some people like to do the same things they do when going to office, like shaving, applying make-up, or wearing normal office clothes.
Schedule small breaks to drink coffee/tea or to look outside your window. That will be good for your mental and physical health.
Don’t forget to exercise. This could be as minimal as go for a walk outside.
Also develop an "ending day" routine. Create a set of actions that signals the end of the workday and stay out of the computer, at least for some time.
Stay productive when working remote
Avoid distractions like TV or other devices that can remove your focus.
Don’t do normal domestic work, like laundry, cleaning, etc.
Set rules with the people that live with you during work-hours (family, kids, friends), like not entering the room and not doing any distracting noises.
During meetings, close room door and reduce the possible noise from pet animals. Also, use mute when not talking.
Working abroad (out of Switzerland)
Set your computer to the same timezone as Switzerland (VSHN Main Office.)
Links
Many others have written about best practices about remote working; here are some links to interesting articles:
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Top Tips for Working From Home (dev.to)
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New to Working from Home? Here Are Some Tips to Help You Meet Like a Pro (blog.zoom.us)
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(German) Homeoffice in Zeiten des Coronavirus: Tipps und Tools (eine laufend ergänzte Liste) (konradweber.ch)
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20 Tips for Working From Home (pcmag.com)