As more people are starting to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, tips from experienced teleworkers are welcome. Using Dewberry’s intranet, our employees shared advice on effective ways to continue to be productive and avoid distractions when teleworking.

Ken Logsdon Jr., Fairfax, Virginia

Do what you can to keep your “normal” work routine. This could mean striving to keep the same hours, keeping in close contact with your team and managers, and even dressing up to maintain a working environment mentality. I wear a collared dress shirt Monday through Thursday and a polo on Fridays to mimic “Casual Friday” in the office.

A commute does have a certain redeeming value too. It can be hard to separate work and home when it becomes the same place. I take a 20-minute bike ride at the end of the day to clear my head and it provides a little transition between work and home that you would usually get during your commute.

Elizabeth Scarce, Danville, Virginia

While I normally split my time between being in the office and on the road, I cherish the quiet, blocks of work time I get while at home. One issue I addressed was finding the right place in my home to work. The room where I originally placed my desk led to too many distractions. I found myself trying to slip in several household chores. I moved my desk to a room in the house further away from the laundry room and kitchen to make it more difficult to multi-task around the house. Find what works for you, and make sure you do make time to shift from working hours to family time!

Tony Buitrago, Jacksonville, Florida

It may take a few days or weeks for you and your family to get used to this new “normal.” Be patient and understanding with your family. As much as you do in the office, it’s okay to take one or two short breaks in the morning or afternoon and share time with them.

Cyndy Davenport, Virginia Beach, Virginia

I have a work room that is for work only and free from distractions. When my workday is done, I leave the work room and shut the door.

I also video conference with whomever is willing, so I can experience face-to-face time with people. I use the phone as much as possible instead of email; without the socialization, I’d feel like I was in a vacuum.

Steve Kalaf, Fairfax, Virginia

I compartmentalize and surround myself with an organizational structure similar to what I have in the office, right down to my running note pad of things that need to be done that day and the next.

Caroline Whitehead, Fairfax, Virginia

One of my best recommendations is to take a break and get outside if possible. Some of my best work moments are walking the dog twice a workday for 15 minutes. I get fresh air and a clear head away from the computer. I now rely on the walks to improve my work focus.

Sharon Freiland, Lanham, Maryland

A comfortable chair, several pens, a note pad, and your phone in your separate workspace is ideal. Also, writing down the time when you start working and each time you start/stop, as there are the inevitable interruptions no matter how hard you try.

Stephanie Routh, Atlanta, Georgia

Make those networking phone calls to your peers. It took a while for me to feel that I didn’t need a work reason to call, and that I wasn’t interrupting them. Keep up the networking with your co-workers and sometimes this means just simulating running into them in the hallways and asking “Hey, how’s it going?”