For all of us working stiffs, it's probably a good idea to become familiar with your telework/teleconferencing options. Google hangouts has teleconferencing (you need a google account).

I've been using Zoom, which has a huge capacity for meeting logins.

If your place of work requires dual authentication for offsite work, now is the time to get that set up. Most require some sort of download, and a setup (which often has to happen on site) that links the authentication to your mobile phone.

Online meeting etiquette: Take roll, ensure that everyone is heard, go around the virtual room and ask for input, use the "chat" function that's available in most virtual meeting apps to see if anyone has things to say that have been overlooked, and for all that is holy, put yourself on mute when you're not talking.

Number 1? Be available. Don't let calls roll to voicemail unless unavoidable. Respond to emails quickly.

quote:

Originally posted by Nina:
and for all that is holy, put yourself on mute when you're not talking.

Is this the voice of experience speaking?

When I teach online in the summer, I send out a daily announcement. This allows me to touch base with students and I think it makes my presence as the instructor more real for them. I also put daily instructions in that announcement with hotlinks (e.g. "complete assignment here," where "here" links to the assignment)

This is of course for teaching, but there is probably a corollary for working/non-teaching. Check in with your immediate supervisor, team or staff first thing in the morning, let them know you're "at work," and maybe state what you're working on, or what they should be working on, etc.

I've been working in my robe and bunny slippers since last Friday.

I have a good setup: Docking station for my laptop, three monitors, real keyboard and mouse. I actually have more pixels than I do at work. I like pixels. I am connected through my wi-fi router and the connection would be a bit better with a wired connection, but I'm downstairs and the router is upstairs at the other end of the house.

I don't have a working printer at home. A couple days ago, Mrs. pj and I found a company office building four or five miles from home and snuck in to print something. I still print documents to proofread and review, but it's a luxury. I also need to scan stuff once in a while. I plan to go by my office tomorrow to scan some stuff.

Everyone in my building got set up to work from home many years ago when a dam several miles away started leaking and we were looking at the potential of the entire valley flooding.

We use webex a lot. My computer has problems joining a meeting, but once it's going, it's okay. I just have to remember to join the meeting five minutes early.

Just think of how much money you'll save not commuting. Or doing laundry. I may put my robe in the washer at the end of the week.