Work

from Families Hampshire North Leaving Lockdown Summer 2020

Local Places to Go this Summer

Avoiding Home Working Hell….

By Mandy Garner

Working from home is the nirvana parents have been waiting for, right? Well, maybe, but NOT when combined with looking after children full time.

Here are some tips on successfully working from home as the school holidays and exhaustion kick in.

Manage expectations - not just those of your employer, but your own and those of your family. Creating a routine that allows you to work can help everybody. For instance, some quiet time after lunch when your children know that you will be making phone calls.

Ask your manager if you can work around your childcare responsibilities, perhaps in the evenings or at weekends, tag teaming with your partner, if you have one. Or consider reducing your hours if this is affordable, and explore this with your employer.

As with flexible working negotiations, if you spell out the issues, explain how you are trying to tackle them and suggest potential workable solutions, managers are more likely to listen.

The right set up - it’s not just about the hours you can work. You need the right long term setup, given fears of commuting and a second wave of infection. Can your employer help with technical support and ergonomics?

It’s sensible to have a back-up if your laptop goes down or to have someone you can call with technical issues. This is far less stressful and time-consuming than trying to work things out for yourself from YouTube tutorials.

You also need the right workspace and furniture. There are reports of increased back pain as a result of people working from sofas or beds during lockdown. Ask your employer for support - it’s a health and safety issue - and for help with work-related phone/internet bills if they don’t provide phones and laptops.

Beat the crowd staycation ideas Please check the latest Government guidance before you book.

Canal Boat Holiday Explore the UK’s rivers/ canals. From £725 a week (family of 4).

Eco-Friendly Tree House Luxury woodland break in Devon. From £1,390 a week.

Retro Airstream Caravan Go retro in Suffolk. From £66 a night (min 2-nights).

Rustic Woodland Shack Get off the grid in Yorkshire. From £125 a night.

Hobbit Inspired Pod Pod living in Suffolk. From £710 a week (family of 4).

Idyllic Shepherd’s Hut Northumberland’s beaches. From £180 for 2 nights (family of 4).

Gorgeous Highland Cottage Wild Scotland! From £1,990 a week (inc daily catering).

New Forest Cottage Forest and beach. From £949 a week (July). Sleeps 4.

Stunning St Ives Hideaway Secret tunnel to beach! From £164 a night (min 3-nights).

Staycation Survival Guide

Check for the latest government travel advice. The rules are different in Scotland, Wales and Ireland, so make sure you check the details for the country you are visiting.

Consider insurance. New policies no longer cover coronavirus-caused cancellations. If you have pre-booked insurance or an annual policy, the FCO has currently advised against all non-essential travel, which invalidates your insurance. It seems likely that the FCO position will change with regard to those countries with which the UK establishes air bridges but check your insurance T&Cs before you book/travel.

Check the cancellation policy for any holiday you book. Will your deposit be refunded if another lockdown happens or if travel restrictions are not lifted?

Lower your expectations. There will be fewer places open and some form of social distancing is likely to still be in place.

Embrace nature and spending time with your family and think of all the money you are saving towards next year’s holiday!

Budget Staycation Ideas

Lodge in the grounds of the Thomas Lord Inn, Hampshire. Private facilities/meals to your room. Farmstay UK 700 farms offering camping, B&B and SC. Birdholme Glamping in Notts. Stilted safari lodges in acres of space! Forest Holidays Log cabins/ tree houses in 10 forest locations across UK. Camp Too - retro VW campers + modern motorhomes. Various UK pick-up points. Tent Share. Rent a tent so you don’t have to buy camping gear! Canopy & Stars - reconnect with nature! Glamping to shepherd huts.