My Working from Home Set -Up
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, our team have been working from home for the last few months . Below we speak to people from across the business to find out how these change in working practices have impacted them and what they have taken away from the experience:
Charlotte Caulfield - EA/Corporate Services Manager
My WFH Set-up is…
I have been able to bring my full office set-up home, which has been fantastic. I am working on the dining table in the conservatory, the space is being treated as an office which means I’m not using the room for anything other than work. It has been beneficial to be able to shut the door and have a physical barrier between my ‘office’ and my home.
During the recent good weather, I have felt lucky to be able to work in a space where I can appreciate the sunshine.
My typical day…
I have been lucky that my role has not changed massively, our IT team worked hard to ensure that we would be able smoothly make the move to remote working.
We’ve been able to continue working fairly normally but have replaced face-to-face meetings with video calls. This makes things feel ‘normal’ but it is strange that I can’t just pop into someone’s office to ask a question.
Something I’ve learnt whilst working at home…
Something that has been key for me is the importance of keeping to a routine. I have been keeping to my usual work schedule of getting up and ready for the day and then using the time I would be commuting to complete jobs around the house so that once I finish work for the day, my evenings are free.
One thing I would like to continue as we move to the ‘new normal’ is…
Prior to lockdown, I spent two hours a day commuting and having this additional time has proven to be hugely beneficial. It would be great to be able to continue with some degree of homeworking in the future, but I’m definitely looking forward to being back in the office with the team.
I have always placed a great deal of importance on face-to-face meetings, but this period has proven you can get an awful lot done via video calls. In the long run, I think this will fundamentally change the way we work and speed processes up.
The business is supporting me at home by…
Providing regular updates through the use of our intranet and companywide broadcasts from Louise, our MD, and the Senior Leadership Team.
We are working hard to ensure that the whole team remain up to date and informed on any changes as we begin to look at how we will function in the ‘new normal’.
When my working day is over, I…
As I have been using the time I would be commuting to complete housework, I now have the luxury of having the evenings to myself. I am doing a lot of zooming with friends and family and have begun Couch to 5K, to try and mitigate the quarantine weight gain.
Jon Kenrick - Project Leader North
I’m responsible for…
Managing asset adoption for utility networks across the North of England. This means my role sees me working with the construction industry to help energise both domestic and commercial sites.
My role was impacted with construction sites closing to slow the spread of the virus. As sites have begun to reopen, my role has returned largely to normal with social distancing measures in place.
My WFH Set-up is…
I am lucky that I invested in a proper set-up for working from home last year. So, when I am not on site, I am utilising this space.
As Leep began working with more sites near my home in Liverpool, I was able to use my home office as a base when required. I am really benefitting from having a proper desk and office chair to use.
Something I’ve learnt whilst working at home…
I had been working from home a little before lockdown and are very aware how lucky I am to have a dedicated space to work from.
It can get a little lonely, but I have really recognised the value of technology. We have been widely using video conferencing, within the business and this has gone a long way to replicating the office environment.
How is the business supporting you at home?
Leep has been fantastic. Our Technical Director got involved early doors to provide advice on the government guidelines and providing the PPE required to be protected when on site.
When my working day is over, I…
Like to spend time outside. It can sometimes be tricky to switch off when your office is just upstairs, but this physical barrier has been useful. I have a post-it on my desk reminding me to get outside and do something I enjoy; at the moment this is cycling and golf.
Peter Whittaker - Technical Director
I’m responsible for…
Creating a new environment in policy standards and to provide advice to lots of parts of the company for a range of technical areas.
We work in a very technical environment and it is my job to ensure that all our people operate in the same way.
My WFH Set-up is…
I am fortunate that I have an office at home and that it is relatively sperate to the rest of the house. I have also acquired a new colleague as my dog has stated joining me in the ‘office’ every day.
My role was already largely home-based but over the last few weeks I have been spending three days a week in the office.
My typical day…
Working from home has allowed me to have a relaxed start to my day. I like to be logged on at 8.30 and catch-up on emails and update my to-do list ahead of the senior team meeting at 9.30am.
My role has remained remarkably similar, as a lot of what I do involves planning for the future. One change has been the addition of this daily catch-up between the senior team. It has been fantastic to be so connected and has allowed us all to be more across parts of the business I would not usually be as exposed to.
Something I’ve learnt whilst working at home…
The value of video calls and the role technology has in supporting remote working. Leep is a UK-wide company and I think the amount of traveling we do for meetings is going to diminish as we are now so used to working remotely. It has become clear that the time we are spending travelling for short meetings could be better spent.
How is the business supporting you at home?
I never thought a business could be so caring and supportive of home workers, but since the offices closed, we have been surprised with a care package and are being invited to take part in companywide activities.
It is lovely to know that someone is thinking about you when you are not there, and the virtual quizzes and exercise classes prove a fantastic opportunity to catch-up with people on a more personal level.