Working from home can be tough, especially if it’s your first time doing so amid self-isolation guidelines for Coronavirus. Having a spouse/partner who is also working from home can make it even trickier. So how do you stay productive when both of you are working under the same roof? Here are 5 tips for working remotely with your spouse/partner to help keep some peace in your household.
5 Tasks to Complete With Your Spouse
- Review & Delegate
- Have a 30-minute meeting Sunday evening or first thing Monday morning.
- Review each other’s work schedules and commitments for the week ahead.
- Decide and delegate responsibilities such as who is letting the pets out and when, who is entertaining or teaching children and when, etc.
- Designate Separate Office Spaces
- If possible, avoid working in the same room. It can be easy to get caught up in conversation or get distracted.
- Office spaces on opposite sides of the home or different levels is ideal, especially if either of you need to make video calls.
- Adjust WiFi
- Test your wifi speed once you select separate locations within your home. Speed can vary depending on the location of the router.
- Relocate the router or contact your internet provider to increase your speed limits, if needed.
- Set Guidelines and Expectations
- Decide on communication guidelines to avoid accidentally interrupting one another. Will you use text or an instant messaging tool when you have questions? Perhaps a sign on your door or desk to let the other person know you are on a call will limit in-person interruptions.
- If you will need to share resources, such as printers and landlines, create a schedule or system for notifying one another. For instance, it can be frustrating if one person ties up the printer for a large print job when the other urgently needs just a small printout.
- Schedule Breaks or Lunch Together
- You both need to step away from your screen at some point. Schedule brief breaks to connect and decompress.
- If the weather permits, take a 10-minute walk together… without looking at your phone.
Overcoming Challenges of Working Remotely with Your Spouse/Partner
Working from home can create challenges for couples. Communication, like everything else in these unique circumstances, is key. Discussing your work space, schedules, communication, and need for resources can enable you to both be more productive and comfortable when working from home. For more work from home tips, be sure to follow us on social media!