Working Remotely During the Holidays

Being able to work remotely is one of the joys of modern life. There is plenty of research that shows that working from home can increase employee productivity and keep a better work-life balance.

Even though it’s becoming increasingly popular for employees to work at home at least part of the time, it’s never a given. Some employers might even be hesitant to offer that perk, because they either don’t understand it fully or believe they’ll lose control as a manager or boss if they allow it. The truth is that working from home is a privilege, not a right. You need your manager’s trust to earn or keep that privilege.

Many people opt to work from home or motmmotely during the holidays. The need to travel, shop for gifts, and do other holiday-related errands makes remote work a blessing. Being stuck in the office makes it difficult to get it all done even when you aren’t traveling. Working remotely makes it possible to get the most done at home and on the job. If you want to prove your worth to your boss while working remotely during the holidays, we made a list (and checked it twice) of things you can do to stay off the telecommuting “naughty list.”

Have a Plan

Your boss might be unsure about letting employees work remotely, or they may not think twice about it. Either way, it’s a good idea to tell your boss exactly what you plan to work on while you’re in the virtual office. Work together with your boss to come up with goals to achieve and projects to focus on, as well as deliverables and deadlines. You’ll know exactly what’s expected of you and your boss will rest assured that you’re getting your job done.

Be Available

It’s one thing to run an errand or two during the day, or take a long lunch here or there. However, if you’re gone for large chunks of the day, and no one can get in touch with you, your boss might start to wonder whether you’re skipping out on your responsibilities. No matter where you are, and especially if you need to leave your remote work location, make yourself available via some kind of communication method. In short: let people know where you are and how to reach you during all hours of the workday.

Stay Accountable

Since you won’t be talking with colleagues and your boss as frequently, it’s important to be proactive and reach out with updates on your progress. Make a point to check in at least a couple of times a day as needed to keep your team informed and communicate with some regularity so everyone is on the same page.

Put Your Work First

It might be tempting to try to sneak in a holiday shopping trip with a friend or spend more time with family while you’re working remotely – and for some managers, this is acceptable as long as the work is getting done. That’s the key point here – make sure your work gets done. The holidays are all about visiting with loved ones, but if you’re relaxing and having fun when a deadline is looming, your job may be in trouble. Set work as your first priority, and then prioritize other activities after that.

Be Flexible

While working remotely gives you the flexibility to enjoy the holidays while getting paid (and not having to take time off), it’s important for you to be flexible with your manager’s needs. Your boss may ask you to attend a meeting in-person if you’re working from home, or may need you to work on a last-minute project. Unless you’re in the middle of something really important, follow through with these requests. It shows that you take your job seriously and don’t just want an excuse to sit around at home. Stay respectful toward your manager and colleagues, and you’ll all have the happiest of holidays.