REMOTE WORK. HOME OFFICE

Remote work, a new reality.

As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, it seemed that we had discovered the great invention of remote work. People all over the world started working from home, to avoid contact with the virus. When you are confined to one place for a long period (especially when you cannot go anywhere), the possibility of teleworking becomes a tool that provides a lot of peace of mind.

Working remotely often means setting up a workspace at home, away from supportive co-workers and the hustle and bustle of office life. In the case of employed workers, the employer is obliged to provide, pay for and maintain the necessary elements to carry out your work in the same conditions as when you do it in person (in Spain according to Law 10/2021 of Remote Work, dated July 9th, 2022). However, it is not only about having a computer, the software, the platform and the access codes. In order to work effectively, you will need to make sure you have enough space, good lighting, and a comfortable room temperature.

For those of us who are independent professionals (freelance) and who are lucky enough to be able to develop an activity that allows us to work remotely, preparing a suitable area at home to work is a basic task. If you are thinking of establishing yourself on your own, you may be interested in knowing the advantages and disadvantages that you may find. From my experience, I will tell you about them in this other post: FREELANCER. PROS AND CONS

A workspace within the home.

Normally, people who work in an office usually develop their job in a space that is part of an office building or a commercial establishment, such as a store or a factory. Most people do not have a home office.

Those who do have it are those who work from home on a regular basis, either for business or for personal reasons. In my case, I do it this way because I am dedicated to offering translation, localization, proofreading and virtual assistance services.

A home office can be large or small, depending on your needs and the space available. If you have enough space, you can use an entire room as your office. If your house is small and you do not have sufficient space to dedicate a complete room to your office, you can install it in the kitchen or dining room (or even on the sofa). Be sure to make it clear why you need this space in your home, for example: "I work from home today because I need privacy to be able to do my job efficiently." Of course, the option of working in the kitchen or in the living room is not for daily work, but for something specific.

How to organize the space.

When setting up a home office, the first thing to consider is the space where you are going to work in.

The place you choose to work should have enough space, comfortable seats and a door you can close. Try placing your desk near a window so you can enjoy fresh air and natural light. If it is not possible, you must have something aesthetically pleasant to see, something that inspires creativity and productivity. It can be a colorful painting on the wall, a map of the world, a plant, or anything else that motivates you.

A workspace typically includes a desk, a chair, your computer and related equipment and supplies (printers, scanners, etc.), a telephone, and other communication devices (mobile phone, answering machine). It is also important that you feel relaxed, so make sure the temperature in the room is comfortable and that there is adequate lighting.

If possible, make sure there are no potential distractions around you, such as noisy neighbors, barking dogs, or a playground. To make it easier to concentrate, you can use headphones with noise canceling technology, if necessary, to help block out distracting background noises.

Sitting at a desk all day can be uncomfortable if the chair is not of good quality or is not adjustable. Ergonomic chairs are ideal because they keep your back straight, which reduces pressure on your spine. The seat should be adjustable so that you can sit comfortably, and the backrest should be able to support both your back and your arms.

Privacy and concentration

If you live with other people, it is important to tell them when they should not interrupt you so you can work without distractions.

If necessary, put up signs outside your workspace to warn other cohabitants when they should not disturb you. You can also find a way to organize your workspace so that it is private or away from the rest of the house.

In the case of children, it is important that you tell them about your work schedule and explain why they need to be quiet while you work. Once they know how to read, they will be able to understand the signs you put on the doors when you need silence.

Having a separate space dedicated exclusively to your professional activity can also help avoid procrastination, that is, attend to other minor tasks and postpone those that really involve the fulfillment of your work obligations. In this other post, PROCRASTINATION. WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO AVOID IT, I explain it to you more extensively.

A home office can contribute to the long-term success of your activity

Many professional activities do not require a physical store or an independent office. For these kind of activities, a home office is the ideal environment. Especially at the beginning, when you are in the process of searching for clients and consolidating your workload, not having to pay fixed expenses for rent, electricity, water, etc. by an independent location, is an important relief.

For the expense deduction, you can apply a percentage of rent or mortgage interests, property taxes, and utilities for the space in your home that you dedicate to your business.