​Work from Home Part 2: Agreements with Family

Elements to discuss or decide while Sheltering In Place

As mentioned in Work From Home Part 1: Agreements with Employer, the updated Shelter In Place guidelines are causing many people to take a closer look at their informal work from home agreements. 

See Part 1 for details about discussions and agreement template for use between companies and employees.

For this post we will focus on the impact for your household, regardless of whether you live alone or are balancing kids and pets.

The biggest decisions households need to make are: 

1. which days and hours you will be working and need privacy, 
2. when you will be monitoring work (phones and emails), but will multitask with other obligations
3. when you will be dark to work unless it is an emergency. There will also need to be an agreement for how emergencies / priority items will be communicated and designated so appropriate decisions can be made.

Post hours, if needed, to remind each other when you are available for interruptions and when you need privacy. The is especially critical for conference calls. Dogs and kids interrupting can be cute and provide a smile when we need it. But, inappropriately dressed partners just lead to viral video that you can’t get back. 

Other items you need to discuss or decide on:

• How will household assignments and roles be shared and divided.
• Workspace for each person (equipment and physical space away from as many distractions as possible)
• Record Retention and Protection
• Tax implications

The biggest thing to discuss or decide on is how to bring in a little fun. Go for walks, reading, garden, have a game night, and hold video chats with friends and family.

#Career #ShelterInPlace #SIP #WorkFromHome #WorkFromHomeTips #SocialDistancing