While it’s easy to get sucked into the gloom and doom of our current situation, there are some great perks that have come as a result of social distancing and working from home. We decided to poll a few Buzz Franchise Brands folks to get their take on what’s been their favorite part of being at home. Here’s what they had to say.

The ability to multitask.

We have really enjoyed this perk while having extra time during lunch breaks to meal prep or take care of other chores. One employee said, “I can prepare dinner for that night or throw in a load of laundry.” Another said, “I love getting to prepare fresh meals that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to, whether it’s a smoothie for breakfast or a pot of soup for lunch. I’m able to get more creative in the kitchen!”

Saving time and gas from cutting out commuting.

Cutting out the commute to work has allowed for more sleep, and less trips to the gas station. “With nowhere to drive to in the mornings and without the need to get as dressed up, I'm able to get at least another hour of sleep each night!” Another BFB employee said, “I haven’t gone to a gas station in a month.” Gas is one less expense we have to think about.

More effective communication.

“With less face to face interaction, we have had to communicate more thoughtfully and clearly.” It’s better to over-communicate when working remotely, and that has helped our team to continue our work efficiently and effectively.

More time with our kids and pets.

While they can certainly get on our nerves and make Zoom calls more difficult, overall it’s been a joy getting to spend more with our children and furry friends! One coworker said his favorite experience about working from home was “getting to see my daughter take her first steps!”

Taking more walks.

All this time spent inside means getting more intentional about the time we spend outside. “Frequent walks around the neighborhood and seeing how many other neighbors are out walking has been one of my favorite things!”

Getting to wear slippers to work!

While virtual meetings have their challenges, from unstable internet connections, to people talking at once, to background noise, one thing we can all agree on is that it’s great getting to wear whatever comfy footwear (or none!) to work. “No matter what I'm wearing and how many video calls or meetings I have, I can always be wearing comfortable slippers and no one has to know!”

Changing up the scenery.

Getting a nice view of your backyard, a vase of fresh flowers, or even just a candle burning can be a nice addition to our ‘offices.’ “I have a pretty nice view from my apartment, which is an upgrade from our regular office’s parking lot.”

Having the ability to control distractions.

While catching up over a cup of coffee is something we’re missing in the office, we also appreciate the extra time to get tasks done. “I’ve been able to focus 100% of my attention on tasks that require a lot of concentration, without the distraction of people popping in with questions.” Another person said, “I have less interruptions and feel more focused at home, so I’ve been able to increase productivity.”

Virtual happy hours.

Nothing beats a glass of Belle Glos in the café with our BFB family, but we have found a way to continue that company culture and connection by having happy hours via Zoom every Friday afternoon. Another favorite part of working from home for one employee is the game that’s been started when she’s having virtual meetings. Her ‘office’ is set up so that people on video calls can see her fridge in the background. Whenever a family member goes into the fridge, everyone has to take a sip of their drink, whether it’s coffee in the morning or wine during a Friday happy hour.

Gratitude.

I think this is one we can all agree on. One employee said, “With so many things now being off limits, I have so much gratitude for what we do have normally - hangs with friends, restaurants, going to the gym. I will try very hard not to take those things for granted when we get through this.”

While we’re all ready to get back to normal and give each other a big hug, we have been taking the time to appreciate these perks we wouldn’t otherwise get to experience. We are so thankful for a company where we get to enjoy the perks that come with working from home, and are thankful for all the essential workers out there helping to make our world a better place. We appreciate you!