Zoom-crashing co-workers of the furry variety have earned Jen Wagner the latest Husker Home Office of the Week honors.

An accessibility specialist with Services for Students with Disabilities, Wagner’s favorite part of her home office space are her cats, despite the occasional photo-bomb during Zoom meetings.

“They make the workday very entertaining,” 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 Wagner’s 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?

This space works for me because it’s comfortable. I have enough room for my work, and it is easy to clean up at the end of the day. The tabletop lifts up to a workable height and has hidden shelves to put my equipment on. This space has gone through several “renovations” to get it right.

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

Develop the ability to “shut off” at the end of the workday. It’s important to separate your work life from your personal life to avoid burnout. Take time to care for yourself both physically and mentally. If the news is bothering you, turn it off. Your friends or co-workers can let you know if something develops. Drink lots of water and keep moving. Use the time you would normally spend on your morning commute doing something else active — exercise, garden, take a walk around the neighborhood.

What do you miss most about your campus space?

I miss the ability to go down the hall to ask questions of or visit with my co-workers. I also simply miss the space itself. We moved into it in January and were just getting settled into a routine when COVID happened.

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

I’ve taken this time to explore learning opportunities through webinars and classes. Those opportunities have increased my knowledge of assistive technology that will be helpful for the students we serve.

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?