RGA Office Manager, Stafford Hamilton, has kindly shared with us his experience of the new working from home environment. We hope you find a bit of solidarity among our happy Grosvenor Place tenant family. We would love to hear from any of you and thanks heaps Stafford for your tips and observations.
How does the view from home compare with the view from the office?
I live in the Inner West, the view from my home is unremarkable, but I get lots of natural light and I see the sky from my desk. The view from my office in Grosvenor Place on the other hand is breathtaking, I’ve worked in Grosvenor for 10 years, and my desk view of the glistening Harbour and Opera house still takes my breath away.
Cat cuddles or the water cooler?
100% Cat cuddles, my cat Daisy is my constant companion at home, I wish I could take her to work every day.
Daisy has “RUF” – “Resting Unimpressed Face” She parks herself in the middle of the desks and waits for snuggles.
What are your 3 top tips to get into a routine for working from home?
- Treat working from home as if you are working in the office. Get dressed! No pyjamas.
- Connect with co-workers for social chats through the day.
- Make a list of tasks for the day, tick them off as you complete them, so you can see at the end of the day what you have achieved.
Exercise and work-out tips?
Try and do something every day, I’m doing a burpee challenge with co-workers, and have an improvised garden gym.
What do you love about working from home?
I love everything about working from home, I love my own company, and my cat keeps me constantly amused.
Will you rearrange your office when you get back to Grosvenor Place?We just did an office fit out refresh last year, so I’m happy with our office set up. I’ve been going into the office early (5.30am) every morning to get the mail and I do little jobs so when everyone comes back to work the office will sparkle.
Which is the best online work platform? And which for iso socialising?For work I’m loving Microsoft Teams. For iso socialising, Zoom. I’ve had a few virtual dinner parties with friends, it’s been very successful.
Did you take a holiday at home for Easter or work through?
I was supposed to be in Singapore for my best friend’s birthday but had to cancel. I didn’t take time off, there was too much to do helping get my co-workers set up for working from home.
Has there been any inspiration from this situation? For work / For home?
My Sister is a Paramedic in the UK, she’s on the front line, she inspires me with her dedication to help others, but also hammers home that the Covid19 threat is very real, and thousands of people are dying every day.
Are you a news addict or new cooking connoisseur?
I’m a News addict. I cook once a month, I bulk cook and freeze everything, so I don’t have to think about food.
Give us your predication for when it is all over?
I think we will have to embrace the “Next Normal”, I’m optimistic that we will come through this crisis more united as a country. Australians have (for the most part) demonstrated our ability to come together, change our behaviours and lifestyles to protect the vulnerable amongst us, hopefully this selflessness will continue. If nothing else, I predict things will be cleaner.
Any podcast tips or top movies/TV shows to catch-up on?
Podcast: I Catch Killers with Gary Jubelin – True Crime Australia
Movies: “Knives Out” fantastic cast, really enjoyed it! Kept me guessing to the end. – Apple TV
TV Shows: “Hunters” on Amazon Prime.
What do you miss most about Grosvenor Place?
I love working at Grosvenor Place, I miss my co-workers, the Grosvenor Place team, and just saying hello to lift friends (people you don’t know but see almost every day) and of course I always miss my view.
What’s your favourite iso-meme?
