Working in Public: 5 Best Practices for Remote Employees
by Kelsey Arrington on May 20, 2022 Remote employees have the benefit of working from home or anywhere they like. This includes working in public places such as a coffee shop, museum courtyard, or anywhere there is public wi-fi. Being flexible is an important aspect of remote work culture. However, it can get a bit tricky to maintain high levels of productivity when your work environment shifts from day to day. The good news is that we’ve written this post with that issue in mind! Here we’ll discuss 5 best practices for remote employees who love to work in public spaces. So, keep reading! You just may learn something new.
Key Takeaways:
- Make sure you have the right tools and right technology to effectively get work done.
- Adhere to your company’s remote work policies at all times, especially when using public wi-fi.
- Consider communication difficulties that may arise when you are working remotely and prepare accordingly.
1. Try to commit to a single location to conduct your work.
When working remotely, one can be tempted to try a lot of different work environments. And that’s okay! The beauty of remote work culture lies in its inherent flexibility. However, when it comes to increasing productivity and finding a place to just work, it’s imperative that you’re decisive.
Simply stated, try to pick a single location to conduct your work for the day. Now, we understand that may not always be possible. But when it is, commit to finding a cozy spot in the corner of a cafe, coffee shop, or wi-fi-enabled bookstore. The decision to stay in one place can lead to a more consistent internet connection, high levels of productivity, and extra effort exuded on your part! After all, when you’re comfortable, it’s so much easier to get things done.
2. Invest in noise-canceling headphones that have a microphone.
Working in public can be just the change of scenery you need! On the other hand, it can be a noisy experience – which is why it’s important to have the right tools at your disposal.
For instance, you should always carry a pair of noise-canceling headphones with you when you work at a cafe, coffee shop, or co-working space. Preferably, your noise-canceling headphones also have a microphone, that way you can conduct video chats with ease.
3. Avoid coffee shops or other public spaces during their busiest times.
Even with noise-canceling headphones in tow, working in public can still prove to be a bit difficult. Our advice? One of the best practices for working remotely is to find out what your optimal work environment is.
So, if you need a distraction-free environment, it might be best to work from your home office or wait until the traffic at your local cafe comes to a halt. Finding the balance between a productive workspace and one that allows for breaks can be the biggest challenge. However, it’s possible! With a bit of research, you can find a public space to work that works for you.
4. Use a VPN and bring a mobile hotspot device for a secure connection in case public wi-fi fails.
Public wi-fi comes with its fair share of pitfalls. From failed connections to data leaks, it might be best to consult your company before taking your work computer to the great outdoors. Or, use a VPN (like your IT team will likely advise). Doing so will ensure that you have a secure connection to conduct video chats, share files, answer questions and finalize projects.
In addition to a VPN, it’s advised that you bring a mobile hotspot device as well. This can be an external mobile device or you can use your cellphone as a hotspot. While the public spaces you work in will likely have wi-fi available, it never hurts to stay prepared! After all, nothing is more frustrating than losing your internet connection when you need it most.
5. Stay visible and available to your team members despite your work environment.
In addition to a steady internet connection, staying visible and available is an integral part of working remotely. This sentiment extends to every hour of the workday, even if you decide to work in a public space.
So, stay alert and accessible to the other employees at your organization! It can be easy to get lost in the physical environment one is working in. However, it’s imperative to remember that other employees depend on you and need to feel that you are available for collaboration, questions, or anything in between!
Conclusion
Working remotely can be beneficial in numerous ways. However, when you decide to work in a public space some challenges may arise. Take stock of the tools you need to successfully do your job. Then go forward with confidence that you can truly work from anywhere!