HEARD IN THE LUNCHROOM

Does Working Remotely Make You Uneasy?

Working outside of the office may not be all it’s cracked up to be. According to a recent survey developed by Robert Half, 48 percent of workers polled said their jobs would be more difficult if they worked in a different office as their supervisors. If you work remotely, consider these tips to stay connected with managers and colleagues:

• Provide frequent status reports. Establish a schedule for giving updates to your supervisor so he or she is aware of your workload. At a minimum, offer a weekly status report detailing tasks completed and in progress.
• Pick up the phone. While e-mail is an effective communication method, using the telephone can sometimes be more efficient and help strengthen ties with your manager and coworkers.
• Highlight your accomplishments. When you don’t see your supervisor regularly, tooting your own horn becomes even more important to get proper credit for your achievements.
• Meet face to face. Take advantage of all opportunities to meet in person with your manager and colleagues. Face-to-face discussions are imperative to stay connected, avoid miscommunication, and ensure you stay top of mind for desirable projects and promotions.

Staying Flexible

Increased flexibility isn’t helpful only at the gym. In today’s fast-paced business world, professionals must be adept at juggling multiple responsibilities and unexpected assignments. Here are some tips to help you remain flexible:

• Be introspective. Consider the following questions as you go through the tasks on your to-do list:
• What are your priorities? Are you able to allocate time to the tasks that are most important to your job?
• What are the results? Are you able to achieve the goals you set for any given day?
• Who’s in control? Are you in control of your time, or is your schedule controlling you?
• Determine when you’re most productive. It’s important to know when you’re able to get the most done so you can group your more challenging tasks for those periods. For example, if you’re able to concentrate better in the morning, you might work on an important presentation you are preparing as soon as you arrive at the office. This will allow you to work more efficiently, freeing up your time and leaving you with the flexibility to take on last-minute requests.
• Block out time for potential interruptions. These can be defined as any items – impromptu discussions, emergency projects – that take you away from your scheduled work. While you may not know when these instances will pop up, being prepared for the possibility will have you ready to tackle them at a moment’s notice.

Heard in the Lunchroom^SM is provided by Robert Half, the world’s largest specialized staffing firm and a leading authority on workplace and management trends.  For more information, visit www.rhi.com.