Considering the recent events, ORIS wanted to take this opportunity to share with everyone strategies for working remotely and can be used at any time when you are working from any location other than our offices.

Work at Home Toolkit

ORIS has compiled a series of Work at Home articles to assist our users during this time. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the ORIS helpdesk at 614-688-8288 or orhelpdesk@osu.edu.

General university work-at-home instructions can also be found on https://keepworking.osu.edu. We will provide links to the most relevant information for OR, regardless of source, directly within the Office of Research Work at Home Tools resources - and will keep updating the site as new information becomes available.

General Practices When Working Remote

1. You are "at work" during regular business hours. Remote work does not equal "I have my own schedule" flextime and alternate work schedule rules still apply. 
2. You are logged into and available to communicate via our university-approved tools (Skype for Business, MS teams, Zoom).
3. You have previously tested your mobile device and are confident that you can accomplish your job functions from your alternate work location.
4. Although meeting attendance is virtual, you are still expected to attend and be on time.
5. Communicate with your co-workers as frequently as you would in the office together.
6. Always follow the guideline, "who does what by when." This is even more critical when you are off-site.
7. Don't be afraid of voice/video calls. No one wants more email. If you can resolve something faster by verbally communicating, don't be shy.

Behavioral Etiquette

Continue to be Inclusive 

We may be operating in conditions where most people are on campus, and a few are remote. Also, the opposite may occur. Be sure to include virtual attendance options for all meetings. Don't inadvertently exclude people from attendance when they are remote.

Also, there is always someone with a camera that doesn't work or a broken microphone. If someone is struggling, help them out. If you are the one struggling, don't be afraid to ask for assistance.

Working remotely creates significant barriers in nonverbal communication.
As a result, supervisors tend to ask more questions like: "what are you working on," "what will you accomplish this day/week," "Can you update me on …". This may feel to the employee like they are being micromanaged. Both supervisors and employees should be aware of this dynamic and approach situations with understanding. Don't assume tone in written communications. We aren't all masters of the written word.

Don't let the distance get in the way of communication.  
If there is a situation where you would just go over to someone's desk, do the same thing remotely. Send co-workers an IM or give them a video call. It's a little awkward at first, but it will get easier.

Don't stop having meetings 
Attend/keep 1:1's, team meetings, and status updates. Host virtual meetings instead. 

Don't forget to "go home." 
When the workday is over, logout do your normal evening activities. Don't be tempted to work for the rest of the evening. Also, just because you are working at 9:00 pm, it doesn't mean everyone else is. 

Conversely, don't' forget to "come to work." 
Sometimes this is easier said than done. Some tips that may help you "come to work."

• Get up at your usual time.
• Get dressed for work.
• Tell any family members that you are going to work even if it is in another room. 
• Have a workplace, whether that's a kitchen table, spare bedroom, or comfortable spot on the couch, try to find a place that helps you get in work mode.