Aside from the fact that a lot of this is attributed to the recent virus outbreak, doing your job from home has made work a lot more accessible for the general public. With the way things are right now, people can balance out recreational activities and work duties in a way never thought possible. There’s no longer a need to leave the house at excessively early hours just to arrive on-time to work—so what else is there to consider?
First, people need to keep in mind that work etiquette isn’t voided when it comes to any form of virtual interactions regarding work. Etiquette must still be displayed at all times, as it is a way to keep your professionalism intact; after all, with professionalism comes respect!
Below are some of the top etiquette rules and common sense tips to keep you productive and efficient, especially when you are in a coworking space.
Choosing the Proper Approach When Communicating
There are many effective ways to communicate. However, choosing the most appropriate communication method should be your top priority.
When is a Good Time to Send an Email?
Remember, when you need to deliver detailed information, you also have to keep in mind if the recipient is busy at the moment. Sending information via email is a great method to utilise when the recipient must print out the message. This way, you can enumerate the particulars of what you need to convey, and ensure that your correspondence is properly documented.
When Is It a Good Time to Use the Phone or Video Calls?
If you have an important message to relay as soon as possible that requires a time-sensitive response; then it might not be a good idea to rely on emails. Pick up the nearest phone and then call the person in mind—this should save time for both you and the recipient!
What makes video calls great and effective at communicating is that you could see the person you’re talking to—making it easier to speak and use hand gestures to make communication a lot easier! If you are in a shared office, remember to keep your voice regulated so that you avoid disturbing other workers in the area.
Video Conference Etiquette Tips
With Zoom, Google Meet, or Slack—all of which are reliable online video-conference platforms—you can remotely communicate and connect with your various work teams. However, remember that having virtual office etiquette is imperative when it comes to dictating professionalism, especially when leaving first impressions.
Mute Your Microphone When You’re Not Speaking
Since most are working in their homes, everyone must keep in mind that workmates would also be hearing everything that goes on around you. As such, you must be considerate and mute your mic whenever you aren’t speaking.
Avoid Private Chatting
Zoom has the feature of allowing users to type in private chats—another feature that is a cause for distraction. Avoid typing when it is unnecessary since it would be both unprofessional and distracting—both could completely come off as rude and disruptive.
Properly Secure Your Camera and Keep Your Background Professional
If you don’t have a serviced office or a place dedicated exclusively for your work, plan ahead. Prepare everything necessary before joining a Zoom call—position your camera at a proper angle and set up a professional and discreet background. To avoid distractions, it’s great to see everyone’s faces on the call—this should help everyone maintain focus.
Avoid Multitasking
It might seem a lot easier to do since you would be working in a completely online medium, but it might prove detrimental to your work. Being a user of the internet, it’s not surprising if you get sidetracked by the many tempting things you could do while on a call. However, this is considered to be unprofessional and fairly rude! Even doing your paperwork while on a video call could come off as rude—so be mindful whenever you are in an online conference.
Conclusion
These are our top tips to staying productive online! In the new normal, it’s important to stay on top of your game by adjusting your working habits to fit with the new environment you are in. By keeping in mind the basics of workplace etiquette, you won’t just contribute to a healthier virtual environment, but you’ll also be keeping your professional life at a more efficient pace.
If you are having difficulties concentrating in your current work environment or would like a breath of fresh air, Grounded Space offers private and coworking spaces in Parramatta, New South Wales. Browse through our packages and see what setup works best for you and your work!