Top Tips: Working from home when your partner is too

How to work from home - with your partner

For many of us, working at home - either occasionally or regularly – has become an accepted feature of our working lives. But what happens when a household with one regular home-worker finds itself with two? Here are our top tips for successful home-working – as a couple.

Divide up working space fairly. Whilst the hitherto sole home worker of the household may be well used to having the study desk to themselves, allocation of working space may now need a re-think. Agree up front who goes where, and what circumstances might require a switch around (for example, a work conference call requiring a shift from kitchen table to study with a closed door).
Think ahead about technology and facilities. If both of you are expecting to use the same landline for conference calls, be clear about it and communicate in advance to avoid arguments. If your wifi won’t support multiple connections without breaking down, address it now and investigate nearby co-working spaces you could use as a backup in case your home system fails.
Plan communal breaktimes. To keep productivity levels up and minimise interruptions, set a mutual schedule with times for lunch and breaks when you are able to catch up together, and be clear about times when you need to focus on work.
Change it up. If cabin fever starts to set in, a change of scene can help – take your laptop to the garden or a different room to vary the view and avoid feeling like you’re stuck at home.
Divvy up parenting responsibilities and chores equally so that you’re both responsible for housework. Create a schedule and assign tasks so that responsibilities are clear.
Keep healthy. When a couple are both busy working at home and responding to multiple external stresses and pressures, it can be easy to slip into unhealthy diet habits. Stick to simple light lunches seated together away from your working areas; being home-based is also a great opportunity to try fresh alternatives to a takeaway sandwich. Plan shopping and cooking in advance so it’s understood who’s doing what and when.
Keep moving. A sure downside of working from home is the correlation with lower levels of activity, so use a step counter to keep track. The gym may be out of bounds at the moment, but regular walks together - even around the garden - can be great moments to re-energise and chat about your day.
Agree a no-technology zone. Having your inbox follow you around the house is neither healthy for you, nor conducive to a happy relationship. Decide on where and when in the home will be work-free zones, and agree a cut-off time each evening when the work day finishes.