The Perkbox team uncut: How we are managing WFH
For the Perkbox team, there was no graceful transition from office life to WFH. We’ve had Zoom guest appearances from children, dogs, spouses and flatmates, we’ve seen fluffy robes and the same jumper three days in a row, smiles and yawns, good days and bad days. Now we’re passing day 38 (yes we are counting), and we are all eager to get back together as soon as it’s safe to do so.
In the meantime, we wanted to share with you how some of the faces behind an employee experience platform have been faring while WFH.
Say hello to our employees Tim, Felicia, Grace and Jake. They all live in different circumstances and have offered up their best tips for staying sane and making the most out of the situation!
Tim: Sales Manager
Lives in an apartment with wife, Roxy. Works at the dining table; walks around the block in the evenings.
“Managing a team of people in the office is challenging at times so the idea of going remote was very daunting. Giving the team enough of your time whilst navigating the current situation was a struggle at first but then I started prioritising and setting myself little goals each day. Prioritising people over performance for the short term during the adjustment and setting little goals like having at least one fun activity with the team each week!”
What is Tim most excited about when it comes to returning to the office?
“People! It's the small interactions that I think I am most looking forward to, the chit chat when making a coffee or lunch, and the random peaks of energy around 3pm when everyone goes a little crazy!”
Felicia- Customer Success Manager
Lives with husband, Kelvin, and 2.5 year old daughter, Adelle (Del) in their house with a backyard. Kelvin works in their home office, Fel works at the dining table, and Del plays everywhere.
“I’ve found WFH to be different. There’s some good with it and some bad at the same time. I miss my routine of being out and about. During my commute, that’s my ‘me time’ but when WFH, there’s no such thing as I’m always in mother-mode, so that has been challenging. At the same time, I treasure the extra time with Del.”
How is Fel keeping up with her ‘me time’?
“I’ve been doing Boxx yoga classes or the ‘Perkbox 100’ exercises with Kelvin and using the Aura meditation app. Looking after Del is exhausting (but seriously entertaining, she makes my heart smile) so staying on track with mental and physical health is really important to us. We use the Aura app when we get some free time, and I even get Del to use it too, getting her used to doing controlled breathing. You can never be too young to start practicing mindfulness right?!”
(‘Perkbox 100’- 20 push-ups, 20 sit-ups, 20 squats, 20 mountain climbers, 20 lunges)
Grace: Account Executive
Lives in an apartment and works at the dining table with her flatmate; runs at the local park every morning.
“Working from home is hard! Plain and simple. I miss the energy of the office and the banter with my colleagues. Zoom is an amazing tool, but you can’t spontaneously crack a joke and share a laugh. But I’m adapting! Staying in touch is my number one focus and still trying to share experiences - this keeps the team morale up which is where my motivation lies.”
How does Grace navigate needing support with work tasks?
“If I need some advice or help with something, I’ll call a colleague and see if we can work it out together, before reaching out to my manager. It feels really nice to be supported by your colleagues and I love being there for them too. That’s the kind of culture we have in the office so I wanted to bring that into remote working. You always end the call with a little catch up on non-work related things too which is important for our sanity.
“Recognition has also been an amazing reminder that out of sight does not mean out of mind and people are still thinking of you even if you aren’t sitting across from them in the office. It gives me all the positive energy I need to keep working hard and giving my best for a team that values and appreciates all that I do. I am making an effort to send more recognitions than usual to make up for not being able to say ‘good job’ in person and return the good vibes”.
Jake: Account Executive
Lives in his house with his dog, Bear. Works at a desk while Bear lays in the backyard.
“I need all the exercise I can get to stay sane. I take Bear for a big morning walk and then get started on work. From day one of WFH, I organised the ‘Perkbox 100’ workouts. We run these two times a day, every day, for whoever is available to jump into the Zoom for just 5 minutes. I have found it to be a little lifesaver to reconnect with people mid-morning and then to tackle the afternoon slump too. We jump on Zoom, smash it out, and then back to work. It gives me an instant energy burst!”
How is Jake keeping up his regular life routine in quarantine?
“What’s been amazing as well is Boxx- the free fitness platform in Perks. With gyms being closed (and I’m not paying for an online membership) I can still stay fit and healthy from my living room. We have done a few group zoom workouts, my favourite being ‘Sweat, Flex and Flow’. I’ve never exercised with colleagues before but this has been really fun to do together! Finding ways to connect that also improves wellbeing is what we all need, so this has been invaluable (and free)”.
How are you and your team going?
You may be able to relate to some of us here at Perkbox, but the reality is, you can’t relate to everyone, same as with your own team. This is a little reminder that each employee is unique and coping in their own way. Look to empower each individual with tools to support their wellbeing and be there for them as much as you can ❤️️