Work from home etiquette for remote success

The pandemic taught us a lot of things. Working from home is one of the greatest phenomena resulting from that disastrous event. Remember when we started clicking computer keyboards and replying to emails straight out of bed in pajamas? 

The freedom of working from home is unbeatable, but with great power comes great responsibility. That’s where work from home etiquette steps in. We still need to draw a line between home and office.

In this blog, we’re diving into remote work best practices that’ll keep you on top of your game. We’ll talk about everything from setting boundaries to mastering the art of video calls. Whether you’re a remote pro or just starting out, these tips will help you stay professional and productive and maybe even have a little fun along the way. 

So, make sure your coffee is within reach. Here are 9 rules to help you out.

Rule 1: Maintain professional communication

Remote work communication is your lifeline when you’re not in the office. But you still need to adhere to certain work from home disciplines. 

Without those casual chats in the elevator or ad-hoc desk visits, it’s easy for things to get lost in translation. That’s why keeping your communication clear, concise, and professional is essential in a remote work setting. You can’t go wrong if you follow these effective virtual office etiquette.

• Emailing: Go back to basics, and take the time to craft emails that are clear and to the point. Use suitable greetings and sign-offs, and avoid sarcasm or jokes that might create confusion.
• Work tools: Slack or Microsoft Teams are great for team members to update tasks or ask swift questions. But keep your message brief and to the point to avoid cluttering the platform.
• Video calls: It’s the closest to being together with the team. What a joy to see your coworkers’ faces instead of just their emails and messages. But check your background (no one needs to see your laundry pile).

By mastering these communication tools, you’ll stay connected with your team and ensure that everyone’s on the same page—no matter where you’re working from.

Rule 2: Set and respect boundaries

You may find the biggest challenge of working from home is knowing when to work and do personal matters. Something is wrong when you take work calls during dinner or still answering emails past midnight. 

Start by setting up a dedicated workspace. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have complete home office equipment, having a specific spot for work helps signal to your brain that it’s time to get down to business. As tempting as it could be, no working from the couch or bed, please!

More on remote work best practices—set clear work hours. It’s no different from onsite office hours, except that you have more flexibility when you work from home. Setting a clear availability ensures everyone knows when you’re available and when you’re off the clock. 

Rule 3: Be punctual and reliable

Being punctual and reliable is more important than ever in remote work best practices. Your professional reputation is at stake if you cannot manage time effectively and meet deadlines.

To inculcate successful remote work habits you must be punctual to demonstrate respect for your colleagues’ time and show that you’re committed to your responsibilities. Being late to virtual meetings or missing deadlines can disrupt workflows and erode trust

Start the day with a clear schedule. A to-do list should keep track of your commitments, but if you’re more tech-savvy, use tools like digital calendars and task management apps.

Rule 4: Dress appropriately for video calls

Have you come across someone standing up during a video call, revealing their pajama pants to the entire team? 

Dressing appropriately for video meetings is one of the most important virtual office etiquette. Other than making you look good, it also sets the right tone and shows respect for your colleagues and clients.

Remote work communication should not differ from onsite connection, it only needs to be much better. So, when you’re in a video meeting, dress like you’re actually going to the office. Sure, you might not need a full suit and tie, but a clean, professional top can make all the difference. It shows that you’re taking the meeting seriously.

When it comes to maintaining a professional appearance on camera, pay attention to lighting and background. Natural light is the best, but if it’s not bright enough, a desk lamp is pretty useful. A plain wall background or a simple bookcase works great, but if that’s not possible, use virtual backgrounds to make it look professional.

Rule 5: Minimize distractions

Working from home can feel like navigating a minefield of distractions. So, keeping yourself free of distractions ensures peak productivity and maintains a professional standard.

You can easily lose focus from the lure of your cozy bed to the constant buzz of household activities. But with the right application of remote work best practices, you can create a distraction-free space that keeps you on track and productive.

You must set up a dedicated workspace at a spot far from high-traffic areas in your home that are just for work. Keep it clean and uncluttered, and ensure everything you need is within arm’s reach so you’re not constantly getting up to find things. 

Lastly, remember that family members may not be the biggest interference, but your digital distractions. It’s easy to get sucked into the endless scroll of social media or the lure of a quick YouTube break that turns into an hour. Take short breaks or set specific times for checking phone messages and social media.

Rule 6: Communicate availability and status

Remote work communication needs to be top-notch when you’re working offsite. Your team can’t just swing by your desk to see if you’re free. That’s why communicating your availability and work status is pivotal to keeping everyone aligned and ensuring effortless collaboration.

Start your successful remote work habits by using your status updates and availability indicators wisely. Set your status as “Available,” “Busy,” “In a Meeting,” or even “Away.” Update your status throughout the day, so your team knows when they can reach out and when you’re busy.  

By keeping your team informed about your availability and work status, you’ll foster better communication, reduce misunderstandings, and contribute to a more efficient and collaborative remote work environment.

Rule 7: Keep a clean and organized workspace

A cluttered workspace can lead to a cluttered mind, and that’s the last thing you need to maintain good work-from-home etiquette. Organized workspace has a direct impact on your productivity and efficiency of working from home. A well-arranged surrounding helps you focus, reduces stress, and makes it easier to find what you need when you need it.

So, how do you stick to remote work best practices? Start by decluttering. Get rid of anything you don’t really need, like papers, old coffee mugs, and random gadgets. You could invest in some organizers like trays, folders, or drawer dividers to keep everything in order. 

Or, if you’re techy, go digital wherever possible. Reduce paper clutter by scanning documents and keeping them organized in paperless storage. This not only clears up physical space but also makes it easier to access important files from anywhere. Not to mention sustainable!

Rule 8: Show respect and courtesy

For virtual office etiquette, where face-to-face interactions are limited, showing respect and courtesy to your colleagues becomes even more crucial. When you interact virtually, the little things—like tone in writing, word choice, and responsiveness are more obvious. These small gestures of respect can strengthen your relationships and make remote collaboration easier for everyone.

Exhibit good manners in all your communications. Being polite and considerate are keys to getting the message across. Get used to “please” and “thank you” if you’re not already familiar with them. 

Active listening, not talking or interrupting are also simple acts of courtesy to show that you value your colleagues and their time.

Rule 9: Take breaks and avoid burnout

To have successful remote work habits, you need to take frequent breaks to avoid burnout. When working from home, it’s easy to fall into the trap of being “always on.” Without realizing it, you might find yourself glued to your desk for hours.

Taking regular breaks isn’t just a time to have coffee. It’s essential for maintaining productivity and avoiding burnout. If you don’t take breaks you’re endangering your ability to stay focused and creative throughout the day. To keep yourself at your best, it’s important to schedule regular pauses in your workday.

One effective strategy is the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. After four “Pomodoros,” take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. This approach not only keeps your mind fresh but also helps you manage your time more effectively. During your breaks, step away from your workspace—take a walk, stretch, or grab a coffee.

Take these work from home etiquette rules to heart

Let’s jump into the final remote work tips. 

As we’ve explored throughout this article, mastering work from home etiquette is about more than just following a set of rules—it’s about creating a professional, productive, and respectful environment that allows you and your team to thrive, even when you’re miles apart. 

From setting boundaries and maintaining professional communication to keeping your workspace organized and showing courtesy to your colleagues, each of these practices plays a crucial role in your remote work success.

One more thing to consider is that remote work is an evolving landscape. The likes of generative AI and other technological advances continue to shift work practices. Everyone must be willing to adjust their approach as needed

By staying flexible and committed to improving your remote work etiquette, you’ll not only succeed in your current role but also set yourself up for long-term success in an increasingly remote-friendly world.

These tips, if taken to heart, can guide you in becoming a great remote worker. With the right attitude and dedication, you can master the art of working from home and enjoy all the benefits that come with it.

FAQs about work-from-home etiquette