While many employees now have the opportunity to work remotely for large corporations, telework options exist for freelancers and small business owners. As flexibility increases, many companies are outsourcing and turning to these independent contractors to fill a variety of positions. Even before the global pandemic of 2020 made working from home commonplace for millions, a growing number of employees had been saying goodbye to their onerous commutes.

How to Work Remotely

You can freelance/contract for businesses or companies, or work in-house remotely for a company, agency, or publication. Nomad’s wireless charger comes in a pad or stand design, and for each, you can choose MagSafe or MagSafe-compatible. The latter supports MagSafe but will not charge iPhones at the maximum 15-watt speed (just 7.5 watts), so it will be slower. However, it’s perfectly fine for Android phone owners, especially if you pair it with a MagSafe case. We have tons of other options in our Best Wireless Chargers guide, from marble and wood chargers to leather and linen. It supports the Wi-Fi 6 standard and did a great job blanketing a 1,600-square-foot home in our tests (though connectivity slightly dropped in the garden).

You can also use this as a regular speaker for music and podcasts and the like, and hook it up using an AUX cord or an included dongle. If you’re not 100% happy with your WFH setup, you might find what you’re missing here. Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

We’ve also rounded up our favorite paper planners in case you prefer the old-school approach. If you’re often on camera for work, whether that’s streaming, video calling, or filming scripted TikToks, good lighting will do wonders. The Ring Light Mini isn’t as mini as I was expecting, but you can clamp it to your desk (or use the tripod legs) and turn it on whenever the camera starts rolling.

Take breaks from screens

The built-in speakers sound OK, and the kickstand works well on stable surfaces. The colors are slightly washed out here, so I wouldn’t rely on it for photo editing, but it’s otherwise pretty great for the money. It’s a heavy, magnetic, metal standing desk with a trench at the back so you can neatly route your cables while hiding them from view. Secretlab sells a few magnetic accessories like cable sheaths and anchors to keep those wires down (and you won’t have to deal with crappy adhesives). Just make sure you snag Secretlab’s Desk Mat so you don’t scuff up the desk or your gear. The controls are easy to use, what you need to work from home there are three height presets, and there’s a nifty switch to turn off the standing mechanism.

Erring on the side of over-communicating is essential when working from home full-time or even part-time. Be sure to ask for clarification around assignments, details, meetings, and anything else you’re unsure of. If you’re wondering how to work remotely, you are not alone. Whether you’ve been working from home for years or were forced into remote work during the coronavirus pandemic, remote work does come with some challenges. Matt is TechRadar’s Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there’s no aspect of technology that Matt isn’t passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming.

Even if they don’t currently offer credit, if enough employees ask about it, they may consider offering it in the future. When we’re working onsite, we usually don’t think about how much water we use, the lights we turn on, or how much heat and air conditioning we’re consuming. As your career progresses, you’ll likely run into a variety of changes within your role, along with added responsibilities.

1. Research has shown that clutter can make us feel more stressed and anxious.
2. “I work off of a really small laptop, and typing all day is so much easier on this portable keyboard, which is bigger and easier to use than my laptop,” she says.
3. These WIRED-tested snazzy desk lamps will illuminate your workspace.
4. Be sure to ask for clarification around assignments, details, meetings, and anything else you’re unsure of.
5. For instance, maybe you originally created automations with a workflow management platform, but after trial and error, you realized a productivity platform was a better fit for your needs.

Everything You Need to Work From Home, According to People Who Do It Every Day

For instance, if there’s a ‘water cooler’ channel on your messaging platform, join the lighthearted fun with a meme or fun fact. If you’re using a text communication platform like Slack and you’re still unclear about something, try video conferencing or jumping on a Zoom call. Your team will appreciate your willingness to understand and your attention to detail. The likes of Slack and Asana are already popular choices, but if you want more options, check out our guide to the best online collaboration tools around. HP offers plenty of choice when it comes to all-in-one printers at this budget end of the market and this glossy white model is one of the cheapest. Nonetheless, it can print, scan and copy and offers both Wi-Fi and USB connectivity.

Winning at WFH: What to ask a manager when you’re working from home

These cables support 60-watt charging, but the real draw is that they’re made from recycled plastic and aluminum. (They’re BPA- and PVC-free too.) They feel sturdy thanks to the flexible knit fabric design, and there are various lengths to choose from. They’re the prettiest cables I’ve had the pleasure of using. Seriously, I want to replace every cable in my home with ’em. No workstation is complete without a comfy chair to ease into.

To solve her bedroom’s (relatable) single-outlet problem, Kathy Li, the Strategist’s audience growth coordinator, bought a “ridiculously long” 15-foot extension cord. Now, she says her phone and other devices can happily charge on her desk while she works, even though the outlet remains “all the way on the other side” of her room. If you’re planning to work from home on an Apple computer, writer Emma Grillo told us she bought this keyboard with a gift card she won for good performance at her first internship.