Due to the emergence of the coronavirus, working from home has become the norm in many countries, as governments seek to curb the spread of the disease. For sloths disguised as humans, this new arrangement is a godsend.
You’re already at the office the moment you wake up, no one can judge you for guzzling three cups of bubble tea every hour, and you don’t have to shower any more.
Reader: You mean you only showered because you had to go to the office?
Some things are better left unknown, dear reader.
But things may change, as some employers and workers are reportedly unhappy with this arrangement.
Minister: Government is Reviewing Work-From-Home Arrangement But People Should Still WFH
The government is reviewing its position on telecommuting, which is now the default arrangement for most employees.
Education Minister Lawrence Wong, co-chair of the Covid-19 ministerial task force and famous wearer of light-coloured shirts, said that some employers and workers would like more flexibility on this arrangement.
“Some individuals say that while working from home is good, they are more productive if they are able to get back to the workplace, even if there is no need for specialised equipment, and for a whole range of reasons,” he said in a press conference yesterday (6 Aug).
“Sometimes the home environment is not so conducive and, perhaps, in the workplace when you are together with your colleagues, you can be more productive as well.”
I, personally, have no idea what he’s talking abo- *gets distracted by cute cat video on YouTube*.
The minister said the authorities are reviewing this arrangement and whether they should allow some employees to return to the office.
But even if the government were to do so, he said, most people will likely still telecommute.
“We’d still like to see as far as possible a high degree of people working from home,” Mr Wong said.
This way, there’ll be less congestion on public transport and in workplaces, something Singaporeans hated even before the pandemic.
How To Be Productive While Working From Home
If you find it difficult to be productive when working from home because no one is there to check up on you, here are some tips that might help:
1. Have a Designated Workspace
If your workspace happens to be the same place you watch mindless videos on YouTube and play video games, you probably won’t be very productive.
Your mind hasn’t quite shifted to work-mode yet, because your workspace is a place of leisure.
Try working in a different area or room instead. This can be your ‘office’, and can help you get in the zone to work.
2. Create a Morning Routine
Before the pandemic, your morning routine was to be awakened by a loud and annoying alarm, complain about not having any sleep, shower, and commute to work.
Such a routine might seem trivial, but it can help you get into the right mindset for work.
Try doing the same thing every morning before starting work, such as savouring a cup of coffee or going out for a light jog.
3. Take Breaks
Working from home itself can seem like one long break, but it’s important to schedule breaks in your day so you don’t get burnt out.
Never skip your lunch break to get more work done, for instance.
4. Get Out
I’m not being rude. Staying indoors for too long can lead to cabin fever, which in turn can make you less productive.
Make sure to get out of the house every day, whether it’s for some exercise or a long walk to the supermarket.
5. End Your Day The Right Way
After you end work, you should put away your electronic devices and work tools, at least for a while, to signal to your brain that it’s time to relax.
This routine can be as simple as shutting down your computer and going outside for a walk.
We’ll probably be working from home for quite a while, so we may as well learn how to do it well!
Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:
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