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Let’s be honest — the current global pandemic and subsequent quarantine life have altered the way we work. In an effort to foster an air of safety and accountability, several companies and businesses have enforced work from home policies, allowing their employees to work remotely.
Several studies have been conducted to gauge the frequency of work from home practices in the United States. A 2017 study released by the U.S. Census outlined that 5.2 percent of workforce members worked from home full-time during that year, marking a 3.3 percent increase since 2000 — that’s a jump from 3.7 million to 6.5 million people.
Just one year later, in 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 23.7 percent of the United States population worked from home for at least a few hours on an average day.
With these steady rises in work from home structures being recorded, it’s become apparent that, especially in current times, these numbers are only projected to increase. Due to this realization, folks are making it a priority to make their homes and apartments more conducive to this newly normalized format.
With some already settling into the groove of this practice, many have designated areas within their living spaces that simulate makeshift home offices. Ranging from dining room tables and simple desk setups to even beds, having the necessary materials to promote an atmosphere of productivity is crucial.
Nevertheless, experts still recommend investing in a few home office essentials to increase both productivity and comfortability while working from home.
Sharon Lowenheim, a certified professional organizer, told Acorns that “everyone should have a very comfortable chair, preferably one that rolls,” as it provides the back support needed for extensive work hours.
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Another tip offered by Susie Hayman, the president of the National Association of Productivity & Organizational Professionals, is separating your office life from your personal life. She stresses that one of the easiest ways to do so is by simply storing any physical work documents in a way that does not impede on your daily non-work routine. All that’s needed is a file box.
“Have a file box available to store the day’s work that you can set aside and keep separate from your personal life,” she said. “Take it out in the morning, put it away in the evening.”
Lowenheim, echoing this sentiment, added that she advises the importance of a portable desk caddy to her clients. One she specifically recommends can be found on Amazon for just $15.
“Be aware that it’s not all about working from home, because you still have to live at home,” she said.
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Lowenheim also recommends investing in a spill-proof cup to avoid any accidents that may occur — particularly ones that may interfere with what may be your company-provided machine.
“If you’re working in a place you’re not used to working every day, accidents will happen,” she told Acorn. “I dumped an entire cup of water on my computer.”
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In the event that an accident does happen or your devices are being uncooperative or even completely unresponsive, there is a resource available that covers the bases of both tech support and electronics insurance.
While one of the biggest dampers of working from home remains the lack of accessibility to office IT specialists, Yahoo Plus Tech (a new subscription service created by In The Know’s parent company, Verizon Media) provides extended warranty protection at an affordable monthly rate of $15.
Yahoo Plus Tech offers protection for eligible home tech devices including laptops, computers, tablets, printers, TVs and gaming systems. The service also provides premium tech support and, for certain portable devices, coverage for accidental damage from handling.
In the event that you are in need of support, simply contact your Yahoo Plus Tech U.S.-based tech expert, available 24/7, via phone or chat. The resolution to your issue can come in the form of a repair, replacement or even full reimbursement.
For added convenience, Yahoo Plus Tech customers are also eligible for one in-home tech-related visit every 12 months.
Shop Yahoo Plus Tech for $15 a month at subscriptions.yahoo.com
Through the implementation of these expert tips and the utilization of Yahoo Plus Tech‘s resources, working from home should be significantly more manageable and, most importantly, enjoyable.
If you enjoyed this story, you might like to read about Yahoo Plus Tech: the new subscription service that provides tech support and electronics insurance for just $15 a month.
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