While there is a concerted effort afoot to persuade the office workers of the world to get back into the workplace, it’s safe to say that there are many people who would rather not go back. It’s hard to blame them, too. With Covid still active and official restrictions largely a thing of the past, it’s still a risky period for infection, but even laying aside the health question, there are more than a few advantages to remote working. If you can swing it with your employer there’s every reason to keep on working from home – or request the opportunity if you’re currently office-bound.
Among the justifiable objections your employer might raise about working from home is there is a significant query to be had when it comes to tech. With a sizeable office-based workforce and all the equipment, a business can call upon, an employer can be confident that their employees have everything they need in order to do their jobs when they’re on-site. That’s a level of tech that isn’t replicated in the average home, and if you’re using the same device to access the work mainframe that you use to play Wordle, your employer may be dubious about the security and capabilities of your set-up. Below, we’ll go through some of the adjustments you may need to make in order to convince your bosses you can keep telecommuting…
Security software
If you work in an office building, you’re probably aware of the existence of a large, noisy room with lots of blinking lights. Like most of us, you’ve probably not given much thought to what goes on in there. It’s the server room, in all likelihood, and the door is locked because it’s what keeps your office network ticking over. Thanks to the sheer volume of devices in there, your office can maintain a solid firewall and keep its servers safe from hackers. It also allows for redundancies in case of a breakdown. You need to show that your setup is safe: that means paying for a VPN, installing the best available firewall, and possibly upgrading your router from the one your ISP provided to a more secure model. It’s worth the effort.
A work laptop
When you log on to a work PC, you probably notice that the home screen is light on icons other than the ones you need specifically for work. They probably also have an internet browser that blocks most leisure time sites, like streaming services, newspaper websites and social networks. Not only are these things a distraction during work time, but they’re also data-thirsty, slowing down your computer. You need to have a computer that runs at peak performance levels, and in between times should regularly run a process to speed up your Mac or PC. If you want to access fun sites from home, use a separate PC or laptop.
A WiFi booster and/or mobile hot spot
If you’re working from home, one of the glorious advantages is that you can work from any room as you see fit. As days get brighter and (importantly) dryer, you can even take your laptop into the garden and work there. But be aware that the further away you get from the router, the weaker your connection gets. A signal booster that throws the WiFi far and wide is a good move, as is a separate mobile internet device that gives a backup signal; make sure the latter is secure, though – you can’t afford any slackness in security.
Image credit: Pixabay (CC0 Licence)
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