When you work from home, several things take on a different level of importance, one of which is an internet or power Outage. It is very inopportune and can quickly create a dent in your pocketbook, regardless of whether it is a result of severe climatic change, any personal error, system upgrade, or outright disaster.
While both internet and power Outage might occur at the same time, the key is to be prepared. It’s critical to have a plan in place to help you navigate through your situation and avoid potential problems.
So, for future reference, here’s how to deal with a power outage like a pro:
Table of Contents
1. Talk to Your Boss About the Situation
Working from home necessitates clear communication and a high degree of comprehension. It becomes much more critical if you experience a power Outage loss throughout your workday. Maintaining touch is critical, especially if your work has an impact on others or if you have strict deadlines. Please contact your line manager and provide a detailed explanation of your circumstances. This way, your line manager and coworkers will know how often they can expect to hear from you and can quickly allot your assignments to others to avoid deferrals.
2. Keep Up With All the Latest Information About the Outage
You’ll want to stay informed about what’s going on with the power outage or internet outage so that you can resolve the situation as quickly as possible. The first step is to contact the power station and obtain as much information as possible about the outage. Keep an eye on social media channels and news outlets for the most latest news and updates.
Inquire as to whether the outage is isolated or widespread, as well as how long it will persist and when it will be resolved. As a result, regardless of the problem, you may devise a strategy for when and how you will handle your job. You might also give your manager a detailed report on your situation so that everyone can make the necessary changes.
3. Get a Backup Connection
Working from home necessitates constant communication with your coworkers, clients, and bosses. In this case, a backup internet connection, such as pocket WIFI, wireless USB sticks, or prepaid mobile broadbands, should always be available.
These alternatives may also be required to call your line manager to discuss the outage and potential remedies. Another viable option is to join an internet provider that provides free nationwide access to wireless hotspots, allowing you to access the internet from any location. You can make use of this incredibly easy solution if you have Spectrum or Cox internet services.
4. Register in a Co-Working Space
If you discover that the outage will just last a few hours to a day, you can work from co-working locations such as bistros and cafes that offer free Wi-Fi. Simply ensure that you are a respectful and pleasant consumer.
Furthermore, many co-working spaces have all of the amenities of an office for a low fee, so you might want to consider that option as well.
If your space’s power outage or internet loss is widespread, nearby spaces may be closed or without internet access as well.
5. Save the Batteries of Your Devices
You may not realize it, but when there is a power outage, you do not have the pleasure of browsing travel photos or attractive dog pictures. You must be as efficient as possible when using equipment such as computers and telephones to save your batteries. You may need to focus on completing your responsibilities before moving on to other things.
6. In Your Car, You Can Charge Your Devices
If you haven’t fully charged your electronics and there’s an unexpected power outage, you can use your car as a charger. You should have a car adaptor on hand for this eventuality, especially if your vehicle does not have an outlet.
7. Be Proactive
You may occasionally hear that your neighborhood is expecting a power outage or internet outage in the future days, and this is the time to prepare. Make sure to do your homework and have a solid backup plan in place so that your workflow is not disrupted.
Always being prepared is the first step in your proactive habit. You can also incorporate the following tasks into your routine:
- Before you become disengaged, install or sync app extensions. Offline extensions for apps like Evernote, Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Calendar allow you to access your data and communications even if you don’t have access to the internet.
- Keep critical documents downloaded or printed so you can access them when you’re not connected to the internet. Along these lines, even if you are unconnected, you may keep your reports or other confidential data close by and continue working on whatever you need to peruse or survey.
- Make a list of the nearest co-working or commercial spaces with reliable Wi-Fi access. Remember that not all cafés and restaurants offer a co-working space, so prepare a list of public spaces that are calmer and more conducive to business. Additionally, use a reliable VPN service to stay safe while connecting to public Wi-Fi networks.
- Invest in some extra power banks and batteries, and make sure they’re well charged. A reliable power bank for your PC is a sensible investment, especially if you rely heavily on it to complete your tasks. You can also acquire a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or a generator, depending on the quality of your main power source or if power outage are common in your area.
Conclusion
While power outage are inconvenient and infrequent, they are unavoidable. Now that we’ve established that we won’t be able to avoid them, the next best thing is to prepare ourselves. As a remote worker, follow all of the suggestions in this post to avoid having a major impact on your job if there is a power outage or internet interruption.