Working from home coronavirus guide: Businesses, families, individuals
Businesses, parents, educators and students all work to be productive, moving to online communication.
As the entire world adjusts to life at home, everyone is working to overcome the challenge of how to set up for success. From finding a comfortable and productive space, an Internet connection that can handle online meetings, and all the tools you need to get the job done, there’s a lot to think about to make this transition.
CDC issues reopening guidelines for Americans
As businesses around the country slowly begin to reopen, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines on May 14, 2020 to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 as you go back to work.
The CDC advises Americans to continue to routinely clean workspaces with soap and water, and disinfect often-touched surfaces and objects with EPA-approved chemicals.
For more steps you can take to reduce your risk of exposure to COVID-19 both at home and as you go back to work, visit the CDC website.
Essential working from home guides
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, Finder has produced hundreds of articles across multiple topics. We have a Coronavirus hub page with a satellite view of everything you need to know. On this page, we’re burrowing down into the work-from-home requirements. Here is an overview of what is available to you — find more information and tips further below.
Where to buy online
Product buying guides
Software guides
Internet and communication
Business guides
- Finder’s COVID-19 response playbook
- Keep your business running
- Setting up your business to WFH
- Business credit cards
- Business loans for coronavirus
- Business grants for coronavirus
- SBA disaster loans
- SBA Paycheck Protection Loans
- Business cash flow help
- Business interruption insurance
- Cybersecurity insurance
Latest working from home guides
Best video conferencing software
Communicate face-to-face — from afar — with these reliable and economically savvy video conferencing platforms. Read more…
How to set up your employees to work remotely
Tips and tricks for setting up a remote workplace. Read more…
Guide to managing your business during the coronavirus outbreak
Financial tips, resources and tools for businesses during the coronavirus outbreak. Read more…
Working from home checklist
There is no golden checklist for working from home for every situation. The optimal environment varies slightly depending on the type of job you do. However here are a few key points to consider as you set up your space to be productive:
- A good monitor. The larger the screen, the more multitasking you can do. The better the resolution, the less it will hurt your eyes.
- Comfortable office chair. If you plan to sit most of your day, look for an ergonomic, adjustable chair with plenty of backside cushioning to minimize the aches and pains.
- Fast internet. You’ll be surprised how a modern router upgrade, a better plan, or even some tricks to maximize bandwidth, can help your Internet speed.
- Webcam. Teleconferencing has become a standard requirement for employees working from home.
- A powerful desktop or laptop. Some software requires lots of space, while other programs are in the cloud. The size and age of your computer may come in to play as you determine which tools you need to work.
- Headphones or speakers. To keep focus if you have kids or roommate who are also working. During meetings it keeps the interruptions to a minimum.
- Desk. Even if it’s something small that gets you off the kitchen table, a desk gives you a chance to distance yourself from other household members.
- Software. Your home PC may not have all the software of your office laptop. Microsoft Office, Zoom, Skype, Chrome, VPNs, antivirus and, yes, even Spotify for your WFH playlist.
- Mobile phone. Likely you already have one, but for hotspotting, staying contactable when away from your desk, and multitasking, you may want a new phone or upgraded phone plan.
- Printer and scanner. Not all workers will need one, but if you do, the trick is to find a printer that won’t cost you and arm and leg to refill with ink.
