Brits have revealed the top nine things they need to work from home successfully - including getting the kids out of the house!
Great Wi-Fi, lots of light and a quiet neighbourhood are also high on the list according to a new survey for Purplebricks.
Vince Courtney, Chief Sales Officer at Purplebricks, said: “Working from home has become the norm for many employees in the UK. When you do so for a sustained period, it is important to take measures to make life easier for you.
“That could include upgrading your Wi-Fi or laptop/PC or even creating your own home or garden office to create more of a separation between work and home life. It will enable you to focus on your job better with the peace of mind that everything is in order.”
Super-fast Wi-Fi
There are few things worse than knowing a meeting is coming up, and bang - your Wi-Fi goes down. Even worse if it's during an important meeting. 58% of Brits feel that having super-fast Wi-Fi is very handy to consistently give you a good connection.
A good laptop
It is the item you will use most when working from home – so having a reliable, easy-to-use laptop is essential. More than one in three workers (38%) deem it to be a priority.
Lots of windows for light
It’s easy to see why 37% of employees value windows and light when working in a confined environment in a house or flat. It helps regulate your sleep and helps you focus too.
A quiet neighbourhood
Having cars racing past your home or loud neighbours can distract you when working. 35% of those working from home find it helpful to have peace and quiet to crack on with the tasks at hand.
A home office
If you have the funds, room and capacity to do this, a dedicated home office space can be really handy when working at home – it is a priority for one in three workers (33%). This doesn’t have to be expensive, you could even have a desk in the corner of your dining room to leave your work belongings away from your living space. It helps create a better work-life balance by separating the two. You can associate the office area with work and the rest of your home with relaxation and enjoyment.
Outdoor space
Having an outdoor space, such as a balcony or a front or rear garden is really helpful when working from home. 28% of workers would like to have one in their home. Often, it is easy to feel trapped inside your home, but those features allow you to step away from work and take a break.
Easy access to greenery or a park
Being close to a park or a field is a huge plus when working from home – nearly one in five (18%) see it as a priority. If you used to work in a city, perhaps you never got the chance to take a relaxing walk on a lunch break. Being based at home means you can more easily get fresh air, exercise on your break and give your eyes a break from the screen.
A garden office
One step up from a home office is the garden office. Often, workers find it easy to just jump on their laptops to check their emails and the next thing you know, an hour has passed. Having an office in the garden means it’s not so easy to just quickly check your work and creates more distance – literally – between your home and work life. 11% of Brits want one.
The kids being out of the house
You shouldn’t feel guilty if you really struggle to focus when the kids are at home, and you are working – it is natural. Around one in 10 (11%) of employees want them out of the house during working hours.
If they are too young to understand that you need some space when working, ask a friend or a family member for some help. Alternatively, local churches and community centres can sometimes provide free or low-cost childcare.
