Tips for Telecommuters

Telecommuting Tips and Tricks

Expectations

• Make sure you have a video-enabled computer and headphones with a microphone built-in to facilitate smooth video conferencing from home
• Test your equipment ahead of time
• Have a back-up plan if your internet goes down

Tools

• Familiarize yourself with virtual collaboration tools, like Zoom, Google Docs, Slack, Jabber, and more
• Consider note taking collaboratively in a Google Doc during meetings

Space

• Choose a quiet location at home to minimize distractions for video conferencing
• Make sure that you are not backlit so that people can see your face

Calendar

• Block your calendar showing the hours you will work remotely, with how to best reach you, and set as “free” to show you are available
• Create an all day reminder to reflect working from home (WFH) days and times

Chat

• Create a team chat channel
• Use chat during the day to catch up with your colleagues and get your “water cooler” time in
• Be responsive and timely in replying to chat messages

Meetings

• Turn on your video in Zoom meetings for face time with your colleagues
• Set expectations with your team that you are just as available for meetings from home (via Zoom) as when in the office
• Be proactive about speaking up and/or raising your hand visually to get attention of the room

For more about videoconferencing and other recommended collaboration tools at Stanford, visit collabtools.stanford.edu.