5 Timely Tips for Telecommuting
Whether your company already has a formal telecommuting policy or is just instituting one as a temporary measure, there are many ways to be productive while working from home. Here are five strategies to be a successful telecommuter:
1. Assess your technology and available resources.
First time telecommuting? Figure out what you have and what you might still need. Work-from-home essentials include:
- A good high-speed internet connection
- The ability to access the company files and resources you need to do your job
- A quality headset with a microphone for making work calls
To enhance your productivity, there are also a number of low- or no-cost services like Google Hangouts or GoToMeeting that can help. And make sure you have the phone number and email for your company tech support handy in case you experience any issues.
2. Carve out a comfortable workspace.
Even if you don’t have a dedicated home office, you can still set up a comfortable workspace. The key is keeping the supplies you need within reach so you can work as if you were in the office. This way, you won’t be searching for pens, pencils, a calculator, stapler, printer or whatever when you need them.
As for ergonomics, contrary to its name, a laptop used on your lap isn’t exactly the optimal posture, and it can lead to muscle strain. Find an area that’s well-lit where you can sit comfortably and have your computer at a good height on a stable surface.
3. Establish a consistent workday routine.
To get in the right mindset to work, many telecommuters feel more productive when they get up, shower, and get dressed as if they were going into the office. Of course, you’re at home, so unless you’re videoconferencing, you can wear whatever’s comfortable. At home, it’s also easy to take a break when you need it and stretch, or just regroup. Just try to avoid too many trips to the kitchen — many telecommuters report that it’s easy to fall into the habit of snacking too much.
4. Just “to do” it.
Because it’s easy to fall into your home habits instead of sticking to your work habits, make a to-do list. You can set both short- and long-term goals for yourself. Whether you use a productivity app or an old-fashioned calendar, give yourself time each day to plan what you need to accomplish and how you’ll do it.
5. Are you IN or OUT?
Always let co-workers know when and how they can reach you when you are working at home, and tell your family and friends about your new working from home routine and working hours, too. That way you can set expectations so no one will be disappointed that you can’t visit, and your employer will be happy with your work. Explain when you will and won’t be available to take calls or visits, or help with homework. It’s all about finding the right balance.
Remember that, whether a telecommuting program is formal or informal, it involves mutual trust between an employee and employer. Employers need to have faith that their employees will be as productive working remotely as they are in the office, and employees need to understand what’s expected of them.
Fortunately, there’s evidence that working from home boosts productivity. In a recent survey, Connect Solutions
(a private cloud solutions provider) found that 77% of the remote workers report that they are more productive while they telecommute and 30% said that they accomplish more in less time. Talk about a win-win.
This blog post originally appeared on the TransAction Associates
blog, Driven. This content has been customized for Alewife TMA and is redistributed here with permission [source: https://www.transactionassoc.com/timely-tips-for-telecommuting].
Get Ready to Ride: Bike Month is Here! Spring is in full bloom! The days are longer, tulips are popping up, and if you have allergies, you might be sneezing a bit more. But there's good news for cyclists: the warmer weather means it's time to get back on the road. May is National Bike Month , and there's plenty to be excited about for bike enthusiasts in Massachusetts. What is Bike Month? National Bike Month , established in 1956, is all about celebrating the joy of cycling, promoting its health benefits, and encouraging more people to give it a try. A key part of this celebration is Bike to Work Week, which falls in the third week of May, with Bike to Work Day on the Friday of that week. This year, Bike to Work Week is from May 13 to 19, with Bike to Work Day on May 17. What's Happening in Massachusetts for Bike Month? Massachusetts is a great place to be if you love biking, and Bay State Bike Month , hosted by MassBike , has a full schedule of events to keep you moving. If you're looking for group rides or ways to get involved, this is your go-to resource. Here are some of the events that took place in celebration of Bike Month:
It's officially winter! Are you ready for the snow and ice? Is your car ready? Join Luis Mejia, Fleet Mechanic at TransAction Associates & Corporate Shuttles, as he shares some winter car maintenance and safety tips.
World Car-Free Day 2023 was a huge success! Organized in a variety of ways around the globe, every event shared the unifying goal of reducing the number of cars on the road. The Watertown TMA participated in MassCommute 's 2023 Car-Free Day, the Commonwealth’s Coalition of 15 TMAs to promote and celebrate Car-Free Day in Massachusetts. Commuters who participated helped to make a positive impact on the environment and contributed to a greener Bay State!
The WatConnector launched on September 7, 2021, with hourly service between Watertown Mews on Pleasant Street and Harvard Square. Starting February 13, 2023, the WatConnector will go electric and will run every half hour. Thanks to a grant from MassDOT, along with other public and private funds, two new electric shuttle buses were purchased and will replace the existing gas shuttles.
This past November, Watertown Transportation Management Association (WTMA) commuters were challenged to express their gratitude for the commutes that bring them safely to-and-from the workplace.
Also known as the WATConnector, passengers along Pleasant Street can now get to and from Watertown Square as well as Harvard Square during the AM and PM commutes. The WATConnector Pleasant Street shuttle services are available to participating corporate and residential partners and the public.
As a green commuter, you’ve done your part to help the environment. You found a carpool partner, coordinated schedules, made the trip in together. But what if you arrive at work and find that all of the good parking spots are taken? Many organizations have good intentions when they designate special preferred carpool parking spots in a prime location near an entrance. One carpool space reduces the need for at least one other parking spot. Promoting carpooling is a great way to reduce your parking demand and encourage commuters to share the ride. However, without the proper enforcement and program management in place, the positive impact of the preferential parking incentive can lose its effectiveness. That’s where having a partner like the Watertown Transportation Management Association (WTMA) to manage the program can help.
Everyone knows biking is good for you and good for the planet. Incorporating biking to work and during the workday has its advantages on the business side of things too. Studies have repeatedly shown people who bike are healthier (and therefore take fewer sick days), arrive to work less stressed, and are more productive. Need even more reasons? Below are just a few more of the benefits of biking for your commute: Avoids unhealthy traffic congestion Helps to improve air quality Saves on gas Avoids parking costs Increases your physical activity Reduces your stress Be a member of the bike commuting community Feel the thrill you get from bike riding
The Watertown Connector transports passengers to and from Harvard Square during the AM and PM commutes. There are two services available to participating corporate and residential partners (listed below).
The MBTA Forging-Ahead service cuts were approved by the MBTA's Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) on December 14, 2020. These reductions are being made based on an overall 80% drop in ridership due to the pandemic. Although these cuts are not as severe as originally proposed by the MBTA in early November, they are significant and will impact the Watertown commuter community. According to the MBTA, by focusing on the reductions to service frequency, this allows for better preparation to increase service when ridership returns, after the widespread vaccine distribution.