![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/mph-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2020\/04\/WFH-montage-FINAL-300x151.jpg\")
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Working at home: Peet de Villiers, Meredith Sack,\u00a0Kelly Walewicz, Julie Inglis, Dr Liu-Fei Tan, Jacqui Michalski, Rob Stafford,\u00a0Dr Abraham Kuot,\u00a0Dr Ruwani Kulasekara<\/em><\/p>\n This week I spoke to a range of staff members about their working from home arrangements and how they are managing with the sudden change to their working lives.<\/p>\n The common theme is that most of us are missing being around our colleagues physically, but there are also many upsides. Below are some examples, from a broad selection of people who normally are based at Bedford Park, Mt Gambier, Renmark and Darwin.<\/p>\n Peet de Villiers<\/a>, People and Culture Business Partner \u00a0<\/strong> Meredith Sack<\/a>, Senior Clinician Support Officer\u00a0<\/strong> Kelly Walewicz<\/a>, People and Culture Coordinator <\/strong> Julie Inglis<\/a>, Manager, International Recruitment and Engagement <\/strong> Dr Liu-Fei Tan<\/a>, Lecturer in Biotechnology <\/strong> The biggest challenge for me is that\u00a0I miss the people at work and I miss walking around the campus. Jacqui Michalski<\/a>, Program Administrator, Flinders Rural Health South Australia <\/strong> Rob Stafford<\/a>, Administrative Assistant, Flinders Rural Health South Australia <\/strong>
\nA huge challenge for me is that my home office is right near the kitchen and that means that I’m really close to the fridge … it is becoming a very close companion!<\/p>\n
\nI am very grateful to be able to work from home and whilst some days are challenging overall it has been a positive experience. What has helped has been to ensure I take regular short breaks from sitting, as I no longer get the incidental exercise of working on campus.
\nA morning 45 minute walk and yoga at night has been a great way to prepare for the day and to unwind at night.<\/p>\n
\nI find it really easy to focus on work activities when working from home, but find I can be sitting in the same position or working on the same task for long periods. Setting up a routine including morning tea, lunch with a walk, stretch breaks and scheduling work activities helps me to do my best work.
\nReaching out to colleagues via phone or video call and regular team check-ins are proving to be a great way to maintain iso-sanity.<\/p>\n
\nI like having my dogs keeping me company and sane at the \u2018office\u2019 although the biggest distraction is them asking for food constantly and wanting lots of pats!\u00a0Hearing the birds chirping constantly at the window is bliss and having soft music with incense burning keeps me calm and productive.
\nKeeping connected daily with colleagues has been really important …\u00a0and I’ve got to learn a lot more about them than I would have in the workplace!<\/p>\n
\nThe thing I like the most is my work desk is 1cm away from my bed! I do not need to wake up at 7:00am to shower, apply make-up and dress-up for work, nor worry about getting a place to park on campus.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.flinders.edu.au\/mph-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/79\/2020\/04\/LF-300x155.png\")
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\nMy solution to keeping my children occupied while working at home: I bought a ping pong table to keep them busy.<\/p>\n
\nThe thing I like best working from home is the peace: I live out of town and the peace and quiet is very soothing and calming in this stressful environment, it\u2019s a lot easier to focus. I do miss seeing my colleagues in 3D though.<\/p>\n
\nI guess the biggest challenge I have faced is not being with the team on a daily basis. We\u2019re such a tight knit group and there\u2019s always someone or something happening to brighten your day.
\nWeekly video call\/team meetings have been great. To see their faces and laugh about things helps to relieve the isolation of being at home.
\nMy hot tip is to stick to a routine: take a break at morning tea and lunch time. If the weather\u2019s good \u2013 try to get outside in the fresh air and sunshine.
\nIt\u2019s also nice to have the odd visit from the dog – they\u2019re always pleased you\u2019re at home!<\/p>\n