Many aspects of our work life have changed for good as a result of the pandemic. One of the biggest changes is that remote work is far more accepted; many workers still haven’t returned to an office two- plus years into the pandemic. Other workers go to the office one or two days a week and then work remotely the rest of the week.

MGP has embraced remote work from the get-go. Since 2008, we’ve had staff working from their homes and satellite offices. MGP was set up for the changes in workplace culture long before the global pandemic hit. I’ve learned a few things about working from home successfully as a result. Here are six  important things to ensure remote work success. 

1. Set a Schedule: Set a schedule and adhere to it — just like you would in a physical corporate office. Wake up at a certain time and try to finish roughly the same time. Don’t roll out of bed and jump on email and then work into the night. The more remote work resembles a day in the office and not a sick day, the more you will get done.
2. Get Dressed: There have been countless memes about how people dress when they work from home. In general, the people are disheveled and wearing old sweatpants and only put on a nice top and comb their hair for Zoom calls. Get up, take a shower and get dressed. You don’t need to dress like you’re going to an important in-person business meeting, but it’s important to be polished and presentable — especially in a job like PR where you manage the reputation of your clients. 
3. Have a Dedicated Workspace: If you work remotely, you could work on your couch or in bed, or from a lawn chair in your yard. Don’t do this. A dedicated home workspace is essential for productivity and mental health. For comfort, set up a mouse and separate keyboard for ergonomic reasons. 
4. Take Breaks: Zoom fatigue is a real thing. Even now, there are far more Zoom meetings than in-person meetings. Staring at the computer for long periods leads to headaches and saps productivity. Take breaks between meetings. Stand up and stretch. Try not to schedule back-to-back Zoom meetings if feasible.
5. Connect in Person: Seeing colleagues is important to team unity and bonding. When possible, arrange to meet vaccinated colleagues for lunch or coffee and meet outside if COVID-19 is still a concern. Spending quality time with co-workers boosts morale and allows for better remote collaboration.
6. Exercise: Sitting around your house all day isn’t optimal for mental health. Take advantage of the flexibility remote work offers. Head to the gym for an hour during lunch, go for a long walk or do yoga in your backyard. You will come back refreshed and ready to work.

Interested in working remotely as part of the MGP PR team? Email your resume/CV and cover letter to hello@wearemgp.com

Many aspects of our work life have changed for good as a result of the pandemic. One of the biggest changes is that remote work is far more accepted; many workers still haven’t returned to an office two- plus years into the pandemic. Other workers go to the office one or two days a week and then work remotely the rest of the week.

MGP has embraced remote work from the get-go. Since 2008, we’ve had staff working from their homes and satellite offices. MGP was set up for the changes in workplace culture long before the global pandemic hit. I’ve learned a few things about working from home successfully as a result. Here are six  important things to ensure remote work success. 

1. Set a Schedule: Set a schedule and adhere to it — just like you would in a physical corporate office. Wake up at a certain time and try to finish roughly the same time. Don’t roll out of bed and jump on email and then work into the night. The more remote work resembles a day in the office and not a sick day, the more you will get done.
2. Get Dressed: There have been countless memes about how people dress when they work from home. In general, the people are disheveled and wearing old sweatpants and only put on a nice top and comb their hair for Zoom calls. Get up, take a shower and get dressed. You don’t need to dress like you’re going to an important in-person business meeting, but it’s important to be polished and presentable — especially in a job like PR where you manage the reputation of your clients. 
3. Have a Dedicated Workspace: If you work remotely, you could work on your couch or in bed, or from a lawn chair in your yard. Don’t do this. A dedicated home workspace is essential for productivity and mental health. For comfort, set up a mouse and separate keyboard for ergonomic reasons. 
4. Take Breaks: Zoom fatigue is a real thing. Even now, there are far more Zoom meetings than in-person meetings. Staring at the computer for long periods leads to headaches and saps productivity. Take breaks between meetings. Stand up and stretch. Try not to schedule back-to-back Zoom meetings if feasible.
5. Connect in Person: Seeing colleagues is important to team unity and bonding. When possible, arrange to meet vaccinated colleagues for lunch or coffee and meet outside if COVID-19 is still a concern. Spending quality time with co-workers boosts morale and allows for better remote collaboration.
6. Exercise: Sitting around your house all day isn’t optimal for mental health. Take advantage of the flexibility remote work offers. Head to the gym for an hour during lunch, go for a long walk or do yoga in your backyard. You will come back refreshed and ready to work.

Interested in working remotely as part of the MGP PR team? Email your resume/CV and cover letter to hello@wearemgp.com