With the COVID pandemic all but over, companies in biotech, pharma, and life sciences are evaluating their policies on remote work. That reality is reflected in a 2021 employer survey that revealed some 87% of all life science employers were planning to offer remote work opportunities. If you are among those employees given the opportunity, you now have remote workspace to think about.
The nature of biotech and pharma suggests that your workspace is going to be more than just a section of the dining room table carved out for your daily use. You may have already set up a home office that is off-limits to the rest of the family. But is there anything you can do to make that space as productive as your space at the office?
Absolutely. You may not be able to completely replicate the office environment at home, but you can still make the most of the space to maximize productivity. To that end, the Pharma Diversity job board (https://www.pharmadiversityjobboard.com/) offers a few suggestions:
1. Evaluate Your Office Space
Assuming that you will be working from home part time, that means you will also be going to the office. Think about what your office space looks like. How does it contribute to your workflow, positively or negatively? What are the things you like and dislike about it?
At home, you are free to design your remote workspace in any way you wish. Use your office space as the starting point, then make adjustments from there. Ideally, you would keep all the things you like about your office space and ditch the things you dislike.
2. Make the Space Exclusive
If you have the means to do so, make your remote workspace exclusive to your job. There are several reasons for doing so. First and foremost, an exclusive space creates a clear separation between work and everything else. Step inside that room and you are in work mode. Step outside and you’re not.
Second, an exclusive workspace greatly reduces the risks of having problems with family members, pets, etc. If you set up to work at the kitchen table every day, you may be in for a ton of trouble that makes working remotely more hassle than it’s worth.
3. Make the Space Personal
One of the benefits of remote work is the ability to personalize everything about your work day. Take that opportunity to personalize your workspace. Create a space that appeals to you physically and mentally. Create an environment that helps you stay positive. Create a space that actually motivates you to work rather than just helping you get by.
4. Make the Space Functional
There is one drawback to personalizing your workspace: interfering with productivity. The antidote to that is committing to making your workspace functional first. In other words, the space needs to facilitate your workflow as much as possible. Focus on function first, then move on to aesthetics. And do not let the aesthetics interfere with function.
5. Schedule Regular Breaks during the Day
This last tip is more about how you use your remote workspace than actually outfitting it: schedule regular breaks during the day. Just as if you were in the office, take the time to step outside of your remote workspace and close the door behind you. When it is time for a break, leave the work in your workspace.
Working remotely is a fantastic opportunity that can increase productivity and make for a better work-life balance. If you get that opportunity, make the most of your remote workspace as a tool for being a better employee.
