Cash point

We’re still advised to stay away from workplaces, and more companies plan to keep some flexibilty, so these experts reveal how to make the ‘home office’ a success

Major firms such as PwC, Barclays, BT and Virgin Media have said that even when working from an office is possible they’ll keep a hybrid approach, rather than a full return to the office, and three-quarters of medium-sized companies are cutting back on office space, too. Clearly some amount of working from home is set to stay for many of us.

ASK WHAT’S POSSIBLE

Even if your boss plans to get everyone back, there are options; “If you are contracted to work from an office, that is what you are required to do”, says Andy Mulder, Head of People at MVF (mvfglobal. com). “But you have the right to request to work flexibly, including from home. That means your employer must consider the request in a reasonable way, but they do not have to agree to it. To give yourself the best chance, I would recommend reading any current home or remote working policies, looking at arrangements other people have, and talking to your HR team.” One key thing to consider; “In normal circumstances, employers will almost always require you to have childcare in place when working from home.”

CLAIM FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD BILLS

Have you noticed your bills have gone up now you’re at home so much? “You can claim tax relief on bills like gas, water, electricity and phone calls if you are working from home,” says Andy. “The amount you can claim will depend on the rate of income tax you pay, and you can only claim for the part that relates to your work, not the whole bill.” Check if you are eligible at gov. uk/tax-relief-for-employees/ working-at-home. “You may also be able to claim tax relief for essential equipment, like a computer that you have had to buy solely for the purpose of work,” says Andy. Visit gov.uk/ tax-relief-for-employees/buyingother-equipment.

REQUEST EQUIPMENT

Getting back ache, RSI (repetitive strain injury) or eye strain? Don’t spend your money on new equipment just yet. “If working from home is long term, your employer has the same duty of care towards your health and safety as if you were in your normal place of work,” says

Andy. “If you work at a computer all day, your organisation will ask you to undertake a DSE (Display Screen Equipment) assessment to check the suitability of your workstation first. That will in turn suggest equipment and adjustments that you may need. Your employer will then either source these for you or agree to reimburse costs up to a fixed amount.”

SEPARATE WORK AND HOME TIME

A huge problem people have faced is separating work and family time, leading to stress. “Create some transitional rituals – things that replace the commute at either end of the day and help ease your brain into and then out of work,” says Rebecca Seal, author of SOLO: How To Work Alone (and not lose your mind). “For me, it’s important that I put on ‘work’ clothes and make-up, and some people need to take the kids to school or the dog for a walk before work. At the end of the day, log out and then take a shower, go for a walk, do some stretches – whatever helps your brain know that work is done. Pay attention to lighting, too – sit as close to a window as you can during the day, or use daylight bulbs. Then, in the evening, switch to dimmer warmer lights, this helps signal work time is over, and replicates dusk and triggers sleep regulating hormones.”

TIDY UP OUT OF HOURS

“For many of us, it isn’t possible to keep work in one space and leave it there – most UK homes don’t have a study or spare bedroom,” says Rebecca. “However, it’s very worthwhile to make sure that when you’re working, you do it in one space and don’t let it flood the rest of your home. Tidy your laptop and equipment away after you’ve logged off. Not being able to physically see your equipment when you’re done – even if you’re in the same space – allows you to switch off.”

SET BOUNDARIES

Working through your lunch or staying online for “just” another half an hour? It’s important you set boundaries. “One of the best ways to think about this is in terms of what you’d accept someone telling you to do, or what you would expect

of anyone on your team. If your boss told you that you couldn’t have a proper lunch break, you’d probably think about finding another job. And yet we do this to ourselves all the time. No boss would – I hope – ever demand you look at your emails in bed, or to work every weekend. So let’s not be that boss of ourselves. You deserve a lunch break, coffee breaks and evenings and weekends off!”

BEAT VIDEO FATIGUE

Hate video calls? There’s good reason. “Hard evidence has recently come out of Stanford University to show that video calls creates a much higher cognitive load for everyone, which is why we find them stressful and exhausting,” says Rebecca. “A good way to feel more confident in meetings is to turn off your camera or, if you can’t, put a sticky note on that part of your screen. It’s very unnatural to be able to see ourselves all the time.” Rebecca also suggests using non-video calls as much as possible if your employer allows. “Encourage your boss, team or clients to use the phone, where possible. We now default to video calls when many conversations don’t need video. One of my favourite things is having a walking meeting, where I walk around a local park and get some fresh air, daylight and exercise, while also getting work done. You could also suggest holding audio-only meetings.”

OVERCOME ISOLATION

“Solo workers miss out on the social opportunities traditional workplaces would give us,” says Rebecca. “The positive side of that is that it means we get to choose who we spend our time with, but we do need to remember to actually do it. The only antidote to loneliness is connecting with other people, so invite a friend round for dinner, play a group sport or meet a family member for a walk.” Also, don’t forget the colleagues you used to gossip with at the office – call them for a chat and a catch-up regularly. ● Listen to Rebecca’s podcast ‘The Solo Collective’ which covers how to cope when working alone. MVF are hiring, visit mvfglobal.com