Working

From HomeStrategies For Success

March 2020

Learning Outcomes

WFH Basics

• The Benefits

• How To Manage WFH Challenges

How To Set Yourself Up For

Success

• WFH Best Practices

• Healthy Habits

Setting Up Your Workspace

• Health & Safety,

• Mental & Physical Well Being

“This too shall pass…”

Working Remotely - Now What?

WFH Benefits

May decrease certain stressesLife Harmony – provides more time with family & friends

Eliminates long commutes and commuting costs• Use the time you would be commuting to start earlier, spend

it with family, catch up reading or get some exercise

Environmentally Friendly –Can lower your carbon footprint

Avoids distractions with quieter atmosphere and more productivity

Allows for personalization of workspace and more flexible clothing options

One size does not fit all – it will present some challenges for employees

Some people can feel isolated

There is a potential for a lot of distractions

Work and personal time can get blurred, where you have difficulties separating work from home

Security issues can arise

Collaboration can be a challenge

Employees can feel a lack of communication and feel disconnected

Effective leadership is tested

WFH Challenges

Manage Your WFH Challenges

• How are you coping/ feeling about things at the moment?

• How difficult are the everyday changes you are facing at this time?

• How are you managing the change to working remotely?

• Do you have the tools you need to comfortably and successfully work from home?

• What challenges have you been experiencing?

Suggestion: Always Turn On Your Video!

Questions For Your Next Touch-point With Your Team

Setting Yourself Up For Success

WFH Best Practices

Establish a daily routine with start and end times and don't forget breaks

Schedule virtual “coffee meet ups with your colleagues/peers

Establish a regular meeting and connect with your Manager

Keep PJ days for the weekends. Do get dressed for work.

Identify first and then minimize your distractions

Let friends and family members know that you are “working from home”

Create a "work play list" that will boost your mood and your productively

Personalize your work environment

Health, Safety & Wellness

Practice healthy WFH habitsEnsure that you have an emergency evacuation plan for your home

Ensure your fire alarms and fire extinguishers are in good order

Lock your doors when you are working and distracted

Mental & Physical Well Being

Stretch & exercise regularlyStay hydrated, eat well-balanced meals, make healthy choices and eat often

Practice mindfulnessEstablish a daily routine with something you do before and after work

Add life harmony

WFH First Aid Support

If you are facing an urgent emergency while WFH, contact 911 immediately

If you have non urgent questions please contact

Ottawa Public Health: Search Results. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/index.aspx or

call (613) 580-6744

If you require support reach out to your Manager or HR

team

24/7 support available at https://crisisline.ca and https://www.dcottawa.on.ca/

https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/index.aspxhttps://www.google.com/search?q=ottawa+public+health+number&rlz=1C1GCEA_enCA863CA863&oq=ottawa+public+health+number&aqs=chrome.0.0l6j69i64.3489j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8https://crisisline.cahttps://www.dcottawa.on.ca/

How To Set Up Your Workspace?

Ideal Work Environment

Designate your “Work Area” Try to find a space with a door

Create a space that you want to be in

Use a good office chair

Pay attention to background noise

Change things up now and then

Healthy Habits: Ergonomics

• Top of monitor at or just below eye level

• Head and neck balanced and in-line

with torso

• Shoulders relaxed

• Elbows close to body and supported

• Lower back supported

• Wrists and hands in-line with forearms

• Adequate room for keyboard and mouse

• Both feet flat on the floor

https://www.iwh.on.ca/tools-and-guides/eofficeergo-ergonomics-e-

learning-for-office-workers

https://www.iwh.on.ca/tools-and-guides/eofficeergo-ergonomics-e-learning-for-office-workers

Security & Confidentiality

Use strong passwords

Set up two-factor authentication

Use your corporate VPN

Firewalls

Use an antivirus software

Secure your home router

Install updates regularly

Back up your data

Beware of remote desktop tools

Look out for phishing emails and sites

Watch out for work-from-home scams

Use encrypted communications

Lock your device

https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/security-remote-working/

https://www.comparitech.com/blog/information-security/security-remote-working/

WFH With Family

Best Practices

Review your family situation with your Manager

Discuss your workload, requirement for flex hours and prioritize projects and goals

Communicate your new schedule with your team so you can still collaborate and connect with your team

What works today may not work tomorrow, we appreciate flexibility is required

If possible, work with your partner so you each have your own pre-set dedicated time to focus and conduct work and meetings

Take breaks and have lunch with your family

Don't apologize for having the kids in the background, there are many of us in this position

Do the best that you can

Online Learning

Online Training

Launch an internal Lunch N'

Learn series where your employees host and present on topics that are of interest to

them.

Use your Ottawa Public Library Card to get access to LinkedIn

Learning (formerly Lynda.com)

Ensure you have completed the

following training:

Workers Health and Safety in 4 Step

https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/elearn/worker/ind

ex.php

Supervisors Health and Safety in 5 Steps:

https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/elearn/supervisor

/fivesteps.php

Everyone Must Complete:

AODA

http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/learning/working-together-code-

and-aoda

* NEW* Violence and Harassment:

https://www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/violence_awarene

ss/

https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/elearn/worker/index.phphttps://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/elearn/supervisor/fivesteps.phphttp://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/learning/working-together-code-and-aodahttps://www.ccohs.ca/products/courses/violence_awareness/

Staying

Connected

Staying Connected

Conduct "Live" Virtual All Hands and encourage the use of videoAll Hands

Continue with regular connects between Manager/EmployeesConnects

Join one of IO/CBY's Diversity Circles Circles

Schedule Social Committee Days and share on your team chats (fav snacks, podcasts, books, etc.)Fun

Host a Virtual Lunch With the CEO SessionCEO

Host Virtual Social Hours - i.e. Thursday Nights 5-7pmSocial

Launch a Coffee Connections program where you match employees up for virtual coffeesCoffee

Host an optional team wide breakfast or lunch over videoCommunity Meals

Host an Ask Me Anything Session (and ask for questions beforehand)AMA

Encourage your teams to reach out and connect with their family and friendsEncourage

Do You Have Questions / Wish To Connect?

Heidi Hauver (she/her)

Vice President, Talent and HR, Leadership & Culture Advisor

Invest Ottawa & Bayview Yards

Email: hhauver@investottawa.ca

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidihauver/

www.investottawa.ca

www.bayviewyards.org

mailto:hhauver@investottawa.cahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/heidihauver/http://www.investottawa.ca/https://bayviewyards.org/