A Quaker parrot “coworker” pal has earned Husker Home Office of the Week honors for Ranelle Maltas.

A training, technology and communications associate in the department of human resources, Maltas said she enjoys the company of Sweeney the parrot along with her cats and dog.

“[Sweeney] prefers to sit on my shoulder, but will sit on her perch or my computer and occasionally photobombs my Zoom calls,” she said.

Ranelle Maltas | Human Resources

Maltas recommends keeping a schedule but taking breaks. "I don’t have to be chained to my desk to prove I’m working," she said.

The Husker Home Office of the Week award was launched April 10 to showcase how faculty and staff have adjusted to working from home as part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s response to COVID-19.

The award repeats weekly until employees return to campus. Details on how to enter are below.

Read on for Maltas’ takes on how working from home is progressing and a few tips for other faculty and staff to consider.

Why does this space work for you?

I love being able to look out the window and see the activity in my neighborhood since I don’t have my co-workers around.

What tips for a successful work-from-home day do you have for fellow employees?

Keep a schedule, but remember to take breaks. I don’t have to be chained to my desk to prove I’m working. Also, remember to shut the office door at 5 p.m. and be done. If you can’t shut the door to “go home” for the day, cover your workspace with a tablecloth or sheet and don’t go back until 8 a.m.

What is your favorite item in the home office space?

My pets. My bird keeps me company, my dog sleeps at me feet and my cats like to walk across the desk and look out the window with me.

What do you miss most about your campus space?

The people, my coworkers and our “water cooler” talks. I had a dream the other night we all met at a restaurant for a staff meeting. I think that means that I miss them.

What is something you’ve learned working from home that you hope to integrate when you return to campus?

Appreciate a plentiful supply of TP.

To be considered for the honor, submit photos of your custom space via email to tfedderson@unl.edu along with answers to the the questions below. The award winner will be notified on Thursday, with their space appearing in the Friday edition of Nebraska Today. For more information, send email to tfedderson@unl.edu.

Entries for the “Husker Home Office of the Week” must include your name, university position, home department, phone number (for contact, if necessary), years employed on campus, home address (to mail the award), and answers to at least three of these five questions:

- Why does this space work for you?

- What tips for a successful work-from-home day do you have for fellow employees?

- What is your favorite item in the home office space?

- What do you miss most about your campus space?

- Is there any process/concept/idea that you’ve experienced working from home that you hope to integrate when we return to campus?