5 Tips for working effectively in a home office in germany
The coronavirus pandemic has drastically changed the way we work. Many employees in Germany are now working from home to help contain the virus. Although the home office offers benefits such as flexibility and convenience, it can also bring new challenges – from distractions from household tasks to a lack of social interaction with colleagues. To help you work effectively in a home office in Germany, we have compiled five tips.
1. Create a workspace
To be productive, you need a quiet, distraction-free workspace. Create a permanent workplace at home where you can do your work. Make sure this space is well lit and equipped with necessary equipment such as a desk, a comfortable chair and a reliable internet connection.
2. Set a schedule
Structure your day and create a schedule that covers your work time and breaks. It’s important not to mix your work time with other activities to ensure you have enough time to do your work. Likewise, make sure you take enough breaks to increase your productivity.
3. Stay in touch with colleagues and supervisors
It’s important to stay in regular contact with your colleagues and supervisors, even when you’re in your home office. Use online tools like video calls and messaging apps to hold meetings and share progress on your work. This also helps reduce feelings of social isolation.
4. Avoid distractions
There are many distractions in the home office, such as household tasks or home care. To stay productive, you need to minimize these distractions. Try to stay focused on your work and make sure friends and family members know that you need to stay calm and focused during work hours.
5. Take breaks and get moving
Exercise and physical activity are important for your physical and mental health. Take regular breaks to stand up, move around, and take your eyes off screens. A little yoga or stretching routine can help increase your energy and improve your focus.
Tips for working effectively in your home office
Working in a home office can be a great way to work more flexibly and save time and money. However, it can also come with its own set of challenges. An important factor for successful home office work is a suitable workplace.
To create a suitable environment, choose a room that provides a quiet and secluded work atmosphere. If you don’t have a separate room, at least try to find an area in your apartment or house that is less frequented by other people.
Consider what materials you need: a sturdy desk, ergonomic chair and good lighting are essential. Try to make the room bright and friendly to create a pleasant working atmosphere.
- Work tools: make sure you have all the tools you need easily accessible. This applies not only to computers and phones, but also to pens, papers and similar utensils.
- Keep order: keep an eye on your work environment and keep it well organized at all times. A clean work environment helps you organize your thoughts and work more productively.
- Ergonomics: pay attention to your posture and try to make your workstation as ergonomic as possible to prevent pain and injury.
By following these tips, you can ensure you’re comfortable and productive while getting the most out of your home office. Don’t forget to also take regular breaks to maintain your performance levels.

Your day in the home office
Working in a home office can offer many benefits. No commuting time, independent time management and flexible workplaces. However, working from home is not for everyone. However, clearly structuring your workday can increase work productivity and help you get more accustomed to the home office.
Start your day with a to-do list. Make a note of all pending tasks and prioritize them. This way, you know exactly which tasks are most important and can focus on them. Also set fixed working hours and stick to them as much as possible. This will help you maintain a work-rest balance.
Take regular breaks. A walk in the fresh air or a quick chat with a colleague can help clear your head. But be careful: avoid taking breaks that are too long, which can distract you from the actual work process.
- Also take advantage of the opportunity to retreat to a separate room. This will allow you to better focus on your work and minimize distractions.
- Also, establish fixed workstations where you can work best. Avoid working on the sofa or in bed. These places are often associated with relaxation and leisure and can reduce productivity.
- Organize your workspace, too. A tidy workplace increases concentration and motivation and saves time and energy.
With these tips, you can make your home office day more effective and work successfully.
Tip 3: Don’t lose sight of colleagues in the home office
One of the biggest challenges in the home office is maintaining contact with colleagues. But especially in times of social distancing, it is important to communicate regularly in order to be able to support and motivate each other.
One way to do this is to have regular virtual meetings where you can share project status and discuss problems. Chatting on platforms like Slack or Skype can also help you communicate quickly and easily.
It also makes sense to simply arrange to meet for a digital coffee now and then and talk about things away from work. This way, social contacts are maintained despite remote workplaces and the working atmosphere is positively influenced.
It can also be helpful to agree on fixed times for availability in the virtual space. Each colleague can ensure that he or she is available at certain times and can answer questions quickly.
Another tip: Even in times of home office, regular team events such as e.g. Have virtual game nights or do yoga together. This promotes well-being and strengthens team cohesion.
All in all, it is important to maintain communication with colleagues despite physical distance to ensure effective collaboration in the home office.
Schedule exercise and relaxation while working from home
In a home office, it can be easy to sit at a desk all day and hardly move at all. Exercise is not only important for physical fitness, but also for productivity and well-being. Therefore, schedule regular breaks during which you exercise. For example, do small stretching or relaxation exercises or go for a walk.
Relaxation is also important to be able to work effectively and with focus. Therefore, consciously sit down for a few minutes to relax and use, for example, a special app or breathing exercises. Even a nap or power nap can increase productivity and improve well-being.
- Schedule regular breaks during which you exercise
- Do small stretching or relaxation exercises
- Go for a walk
- Use special apps or breathing exercises to help you relax
- Deliberately sit down for a few minutes to relax
- Allow yourself a midday nap or power nap
By incorporating exercise and relaxation into your workday, you can work more effectively while maintaining your physical and mental well-being.
5 tips for working effectively in your home office
One challenge of working in a home office is maintaining a work-life balance. It can be easy to work too long or get too distracted. To avoid this, pay attention to your work-life balance.
An important step is to set clear working hours. Try to get your work done within this time and then focus on your free time. It can help if you set up a workspace that is only used for work and retreat from that space after hours.
It is also important to take regular breaks. Exercise can help manage stressful situations and clear your head. Use the time to go for a walk or do a short workout.
- Set clear working hours
- Set up a separate workspace
- Take regular breaks
To improve your work-life balance, you should also make sure you don’t lose sight of your leisure activities. Schedule your time off, just like your work appointments, and don’t let work take over your life.
Overall, it is important to maintain a work-life balance in order to work effectively and healthily in the home office.