Grant Thornton Australia accountant Tom Caldow is used to working from his Nagambie home one day per week, with the other four days in Melbourne.
At GTA’s request and amid the spread of coronavirus, Mr Caldow — a senior manager of the accounting firm’s forensic consulting division — will be working from home every day, unless he has a client meeting.
At home, Mr Caldow has already got his wife, Heidi, and his two-year-old son, Teddie, to keep him company.
Mr Caldow, 29, said GTA asked all its 1300 staff nationally to work from home for the foreseeable future, unless they had client meetings.
And he said he was used to working from home far more than his colleagues.
“I am at home in Nagambie working remotely full time until COVID-19 goes away or GTA tell me not to,” Mr Caldow said.
“I'm lucky enough to have a little office set up, but it’s important to find a dedicated space and be willing to spend some money and buy a second display screen, so you are as effective at home as you would be in the office.
“I always draw up a list of jobs to achieve each day and cross them off; sticking to a plan helps me stay focused.
“I always have a bottle of water with me to avoid getting up from my desk too many times.
“I try and find time where I won’t be distracted, which is usually early in the morning, when Teddie won’t distract me.
“Also, I try and stay in touch with my colleagues as often as I can — multiple times per day — be it through email, text message or calling them.
“And, I set aside a lunch time and breaks, and I stick to them — don’t take lots of small breaks, as I find I lose focus and productivity.”
In a normal week, Mr Caldow would spend 45 to 50 hours on the job, and working from home every day would provide new challenges.
“I worked on the train on my commute to the city anyway, so it’s a bonus I get a better working environment in my home office,” he said.
“I feel more comfortable with the process than some of my colleagues, but it’s certainly going to be a different challenge.
“Make sure your office is near your internet modem, too.”
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