Almost one in four Germans now works from home occasionally. Many dream of it: no long commutes, more time for family, and more flexible working arrangements.
But often the dream turns into a problem. Without clear rules, working from home quickly becomes chaotic. The boundaries between work and leisure blur. You feel isolated and stressed.
This guide is different. It gives you practical solutions. No complicated theories, but concrete help for real problems.
Part 1: Avoiding the most common mistakes
Remote work rarely fails because of technology, but because of people. The problems arise because we try to force old habits into a new way of working. Here are the typical pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Employee errors
As an employee working from home, you face very specific challenges. These three problems are the ones we encounter most frequently in our consultations:
Problem 1: Work and leisure become blurred
You're probably familiar with this: You quickly check your emails in the evening. You reply to messages on the weekend. You feel like you never really switch off. 60% of all home office workers experience exactly this.
The solution lies in clear boundaries. Set up a dedicated workspace, even if it's just a corner of the living room. Work at set times and stick to them. After work, consciously close your laptop and turn off work notifications. This creates mental boundaries between work and leisure.
Problem 2: They will be forgotten
Working from home makes you less visible. Colleagues don't automatically think of you. Your boss forgets about you on important projects. Information reaches you too late or not at all.
Therefore, you need to be proactive. Check in with colleagues regularly and provide updates on your work. Suggest digital coffee breaks to maintain personal contact. Don't wait for others to approach you. In the remote world, if you're not visible, you'll be forgotten.
Problem 3: Your health is suffering
Many people work at the kitchen table or even in bed. This quickly takes its toll: back pain , burning eyes, and a stiff neck. Without conscious breaks, you move far less than you would in an office.
Therefore, invest in an ergonomic workspace. A good office chair and the correct screen height are crucial. Get up regularly and take conscious breaks. Your health is more important than saving time commuting to the office.
Mistakes by managers
As a manager in the age of remote work, you need to rethink your approach. Many leadership styles that work in the office fail remotely. These mistakes will cost you your best employees:
Problem 1: Unclear instructions
Information often doesn't get through properly at a distance. What's clarified with a quick chat in the office leads to confusion when working from home. Employees end up working in the wrong direction because the tasks weren't clear.
The solution lies in deliberate over-communication. Write down important instructions and ask if everything has been understood. Schedule fixed times for regular video calls. What used to be discussed casually at the desk now needs a structured framework.
Problem 2: The team falls apart
Without informal chats and shared lunch breaks, team spirit is lost. Employees only talk about work. The informal glue that holds teams together dissolves. Everyone becomes a lone wolf.
The only solution is conscious planning. Organize virtual team events and digital coffee breaks. Talk about personal matters too, not just projects and deadlines. The effort is worthwhile: Teams with strong cohesion are more productive and creative.
Problem 3: Too much control
Many managers get nervous when they can't see their employees. They call constantly, expect immediate answers, and monitor their every move. The result: employees feel scrutinized and lose motivation.
Successful remote leadership works differently. Focus on results, not working hours. Set clear goals and trust that they will be achieved. Trust is the most valuable currency in the remote world. Constantly monitoring and controlling destroys the very thing you want to achieve.
Part 2: Helpful Tools
Identifying problems is the first step. Now you need the right tools to solve them. From legal basics to practical tools – here you'll find everything you need for successful working from home.
Understanding the legal framework
Before you begin, you should know the legal framework you are operating within. Because not all home office arrangements are the same:
There are three different types of working from home:
Teleworking: Your boss sets up a permanent workspace at your home. He is responsible for providing furniture and equipment.
Mobile working: You can work from anywhere, not just from home. You provide your own equipment.
Home office: That's the common term. It usually refers to working remotely from home.
Why is this important? It determines who pays for what and how you are insured.
The best digital tools
Without the right software, remote work becomes chaos. But which tools do you really need? Here's our proven selection:
The right tools can compensate for the disadvantages of physical separation. Slack and Microsoft Teams have proven effective for daily communication. They function like a digital hallway where messages can be exchanged quickly.
For project organization, Asana , Trello , or Monday.com are helpful. These tools show all participants who is currently working on what and when tasks are due. This way, no important points are overlooked.
Zoom and Google Meet are the standard for video meetings. Miro is particularly well-suited as a digital whiteboard for creative collaboration. Teams can develop ideas together here, even if they are geographically dispersed.
Notion or Confluence serve as central knowledge repositories. All important information, processes, and instructions are collected there, allowing everyone to quickly find what they need.
Checklist: Healthy Workplace
A poor workspace can make you sick. Back pain, headaches, tired eyes – it doesn't have to be that way. Use this checklist to set up your home office properly:
| Area | What you need | Pay attention |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Ergonomic chair | Feet flat on the ground. Back supported. Arms resting loosely. |
| Table | Large desk | At least 160x80 cm. Enough legroom. The right height for arms. |
| Screen | Correct distance | An arm's length away. Top edge at eye level. Gaze slightly downwards. |
| Light | Good lighting | Window to the side of the table. No reflections. Use an extra lamp. |
| Devices | External keyboard | Don't just work on your laptop. Use a separate mouse and keyboard. Room for your hands. |
| Movement | Regular breaks | Get up every hour. Change position. Relax your eyes. |
Key points for home office contracts
Without a written agreement, disputes will arise later. Who pays for what? When do you need to be available? What happens in case of problems? These points belong in every home office contract:
- Work location: Where are you allowed to work? On how many days?
- Working hours: What are the applicable hours? When do you need to be available?
- Equipment: Who pays for the laptop, monitor, and internet connection?
- Data protection: How do you protect company data at home?
- Insurance: What happens in case of accidents while working from home?
- Termination: When can the arrangement be ended?
Conclusion: How to make remote work successful
Remote work is more than a trend – it's the future. But it only works with the right preparation and mindset.
Successful home office work doesn't happen by itself. You need:
- Clear rules
- The right tools
- Trust between boss and employees
- Good communication
The biggest mistake is simply transferring office work to home. Remote work is different. It has its own opportunities and challenges.
If you avoid the most common mistakes, working from home will be a success – for you, your team, and your company.
Now it's your turn: Which mistake are you most familiar with? Which solution helped you? Write it in the comments!
FAQs
Who pays for the technology, electricity, and internet?
It depends on the type of work. For regular teleworking, the employer provides all the necessary equipment and covers the costs. For mobile working – which is much more common – this is agreed upon separately. Usually, you'll receive a laptop and sometimes a monitor as well. Many companies also pay a flat rate of around 30 to 50 euros per month to cover electricity and internet access.
Am I insured while working from home?
Yes. Statutory accident insurance also applies at home. You are protected during all activities related to your work – for example, when you go to the printer in another room. Since a new regulation, even the journey to daycare is covered if you drop your child off before you start working from home.
Is my boss allowed to monitor what I do?
Covert monitoring, for example via keyloggers or screen recordings, is prohibited. However, it is permissible for your employer to check the results. Time tracking and inquiries about project progress are also acceptable.
Can I work abroad ("workation")?
This is only possible if your employer explicitly agrees. Even within the EU, it's complicated because taxes and social security are involved. Without a clear agreement, you and your employer risk legal problems.
What is the home office allowance?
This is a tax advantage. For every day you work exclusively from home, you can deduct €6 from your taxes. The maximum is €1,260 per year. You don't need a separate home office for this.
