Remote working becoming the new normal
The past 18 months or so have changed the way we do a lot of things. Whether it be mask wearing, social distancing or staycations, we have all had to adapt to our ‘new normal’.
One of the biggest upheavals that the pandemic has brought, is the idea of remote working as an approach now taken by many employers. Many teams packed up and headed to their spare rooms, sheds, or dining room tables back in 2020, and despite some inevitable teething problems, many never looked back.
But what happens when you join an already established team of professionals, in a fully remote environment? Without the daily face-to-face meetings, office chatter and regular social nights out, how can ‘the new guy’ really adapt to and gel with their new team?
Working remotely at Seed
At Seed, we offer a ‘remote first’ working environment – meaning the office is always open to anyone who may choose to use it, but the option of working remotely is one that is always offered to employees. Bear in mind that remote working doesn’t always mean home working.
Now that things are returning to somewhat normal, remote work gives team members the opportunity to travel, visit family, or even just spend the day in the local coffee shop or library, all while your work schedule goes on uninterrupted. What more could we ask for?!
Despite the obvious positives, there can be some negatives to overcome when starting a job remotely.
Here are some tips that we have picked up that may help you to adjust and settle into your new role, while enjoying the freedom of a remote work environment.
Structure is key
Try to structure your days/weeks. Whether it be scheduling calls for mornings, and leaving afternoons free for focussing on your to-do list, or vice versa, it’s always good to have a well laid out work day ahead of you. The same goes for your week in general. If office work is an option, give yourself set days that you want to be, and days you will be staying home. This allows you the time to prepare for the time ahead and keep your routine as close to normal as possible.
Keep it social to keep the culture alive
Get to know your colleagues, join in on any remote socials, team calls and even in person meet ups once the time is right. It’s great for both you and the team to put faces to names right from the start and helps with feeling like you’re a part of the team.
At Seed we ‘buddy up’ all new hires, so you have someone to bounce ideas off, chat to for advice and enjoy their company!
Another great tip is to schedule regular calls just to catch up with different team members, whether it be people you talk to on a daily basis, or some colleagues that you might speak with less frequently.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
We all know it can be difficult to ask for a helping hand when you’re unfamiliar with new company policies or processes, and it’s no longer as easy as just popping over to someone’s desk to ask for a password!
Although it may seem like you’re being an inconvenience, never be afraid to reach out to the relevant person to ask questions you need to do your job efficiently. Pop them over a calendar invite, have your list ready, and thank them for their time. People are more than happy to help, and it shows you taking some initiative – win win!
Final thoughts from me
To sum up, who knows where the next decade will leave us as remote workers, but one thing we can be certain, is that the way in which we work is constantly changing.
Being open to new things, adaptability and resilience are key traits that you can take with you going into any new role presented to you – whether it be in an office with co-workers on hand, or in your own home space, make sure to keep on keeping on!
