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Last year at this time I was compiling this newsletter while sitting in my office in the administration building on a campus energized by students, faculty and staff. This year, I am at home with my laptop.
Over the past year, we have taken extreme measures to protect ourselves and our loved ones from a dreaded virus. As the months drag on, we cannot neglect our overall health as we adapt to life amidst a pandemic.
While the initial crisis has passed, many of us continue to work remotely and fatigue has set in. The crazed frenzy as we frantically scrambled to morph from in-person classes to an online curriculum in a matter of hours is unsustainable. We need time away from work. Even if the physical distinctions between our homes and offices have blurred, we can intentionally set boundaries between our professional and personal time.
Just because we can be accessible at all times, doesn’t mean we should be accessible. Establish times to work and then communicate with your colleagues and students when you will (and won’t) be available. At the end of the day, close your laptop, turn off notifications and take the time you need way from work.
Along with taking time away from work, it’s important to optimize our worktime by improving our working conditions. Back in the Spring, I balanced my TV screen on my ironing board as part of my makeshift home office. As the months dragged on and the TV screen teetered precariously, I realized it was time to invest in a more permanent solution.
A second monitor and wireless keyboard, as well as raising my laptop to eye level, have greatly improved my home office setup. Look around your workspace. Are there low-cost upgrades (such as a wireless mouse or a new pair of headphones) that can improve your working conditions? If you are a supervisor, don’t forget to evaluate whether your staff has the tools and equipment they need to be effective, especially if their job responsibilities have shifted.
As I reflected on the past months, I conclude that setting time boundaries and investing in basic office tools and equipment are critical to effectively working from home. What insights have you gained from the past year? How have you created a healthy work environment in the midst of a pandemic?
Amy Cook
PAIS Newsletter Editor | 
