In 2025, remote work is extremely common. For many a business professional, it has become the new normal. If anything positive came from the pandemic, it’s that workers are experiencing flexibility, convenience and improved work-life balance in ways that weren’t really thought about five years ago. Remote work does, however, come with some challenges. While working from home can be incredibly freeing, certain bad habits can hinder productivity.
So what can remote workers do to avoid the most common of remote work no-no’s?
Don’t forget to keep all work associates in the know.
If you’re part of a team, working “on your own” doesn’t mean that your job is nobody else’s business. Don’t assume that all of your team members are aware of your progress. Remote work means you don’t have the ability to pop over to a colleague’s desk. You can’t have spontaneous discussions in person. As a result, communication becomes more critical.
Set up regular check-ins with your co-workers. They could come in the form of weekly virtual team meetings or one-on-one phone conversations. As well, make use of clear channels of communication, like Slack. It’s great for sending quick messages to your team so that everyone is kept on the same page.
Avoid working at random hours.
You might not be in the office, but it’s wise to set up your own office hours. Naturally, remote work can blur the lines between personal and professional life. For some professionals, this leads to burnout from overwork. A lack of a specific work schedule has them working all hours of the night. They neglect sleep, exercise and proper nutrition. The opposite can also happen. Not setting a schedule can result in procrastination and underperformance.
Set clear boundaries for your work hours and stick to them. You may want to use tools like time tracking apps to monitor your working hours. You should also structure your day with breaks and regular tasks. Doing so will prevent yourself from either working too much or slacking off. It’s wise, as well, to not work from the couch or your bed as your productivity can suffer. Create a dedicated workspace that is ergonomically friendly and free of distractions.
Don’t ignore cybersecurity best practices.
Remote workers often work from various locations, not just home. This makes cybersecurity more important than ever – especially if you’re using public Wi-Fi. Don’t expose your business to data breaches, hacks and other security threats. Invest in a reliable VPN (virtual private network) to protect your internet connection. Also, use multi-factor authentication for all accounts, ensure sensitive data is encrypted and be cautious of phishing scams. As well, don’t forget to regularly update your passwords!
“The number of cyberattacks against organizations continues to rise,” reports Mary K. Pratt for TechTarget, “For example, attempted attacks detected by cybersecurity software vendor Armis increased 104% year to year in 2023.”
Don’t overlook using your computer to accept payments.
With Converge, your computer becomes a virtual payment terminal, requiring minimal investment and effort. It supports various payment methods, including credit and debit cards, electronic checks and gift cards. Whether you process transactions face-to-face, through mail/telephone orders, or online, Converge has you covered! To learn more, please don’t hesitate to call Divvia at 1-877-748-2884 or send us a message on our Contact Us page.