Remote Job: Coping with home fatigue

Bimpe sits with her laptop from 8 am to about 6 pm, the only time she can take a break is either to take breakfast or lunch or to use the restroom.

Her direct supervisor had previously warned them to report to the company’s online group every 15 minutes, at most thirty minutes. This is tiring, she stares at her HP laptop screen non-stop, no mental or visual break, point out a more tiring life.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Bimpe wakes in the morning, as early as 5 am, dresses up, take care of her home, ensure to sign in by 7:30 at most in her office in the suburb of Accra city in Ghana.

The pandemic which has resulted in lockdowns, social distancing, quarantine has affected her work life significantly.

At first, she thought working from home would be exciting, and less draining, but now she wants to go back to going to the office once in a while and chatting with “offline human beings” as she calls them.

According to a survey by Pew Research in the United States, 71 per cent of the labour force have embraced the new normal – remote work with the help of advanced technology.

Remote work tips

1. Have a personal workspace: Design it in such a way that will boost your creativity and productivity. You can create it in your bedroom or have a separate room for your workspace. A place that allows for concentration.

2. Take a moment to look away from the screen: Especially if it is a virtual meeting or say Zoom or Google meet, take a break! Look away for some moment, if you can turn off your camera and just listen to the ongoing conversations, please do.

Before having a video meeting, ask yourself, is it absolutely important? How about a chat or email? If a chat or email would do the trick, why not opt for that.

A career and leadership coach, Ashira Prosack said that not all meeting require Zoom. “Sometimes, a phone call is just as sufficient, if not more so. Phone calls can be taken from anywhere which allows for more flexibility.

You don’t have to dress up or put up makeup for a phone call and with all the added stressors of working from home, that can really be a bonus,” she said.

Do not make face time your default means of communication.

3. Reduce multitasking: Multitasking requires more energy. Multitasking can increase fatigue.

4. Discover your peak and plan accordingly: Match your daily duties to your energy level. Figure your body rhythm and maximax it to deliver on your functions.

How well are you working remotely from home? Share with us your little secret that can help others on this platform