This way people can comfortably close down all other communication channels like email, Slack, instant messenger, etc. If any correspondence must happen outside of the set communication hours, such as for urgent or time-sensitive issues, make them phone or text only. Outside of those hours, employees should be encouraged to change their settings to “Do Not Disturb” and to use the “schedule send” feature of their email client so that messages only get delivered during communication hours. So how can you accommodate your employees’ needs while still protecting your culture and your team’s work-life balance? The key is to embrace and encourage flex time while also defining clear “communication hours” (for example, 8 a.m. I’ve been helping clients implement policies that prevent this for years, but it’s even more important now that employees are suddenly thrust, unprepared, into this unfamiliar work situation. It might cause even the most dedicated employees to consider other offers. It increases pressure and quickly turns your company into an unpleasant place to work. But once this takes root in your company culture, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to “reset” later. That might be necessary in some industries during these challenging times, but certainly not in every industry and not for everyone in any industry. If everyone on your team is working different hours, you may be getting emails and messages at all hours of the day, night, or weekend - which can quickly create an always available, or “always-on” environment. Still others are starting late and working late.
Others are working early and hoping to quit early. Remote work, especially in a world affected by Covid-19, naturally leads to “flex time.” Employees with small children might be getting the majority of their work done at night after the kids are in bed. To get all of HBR’s content delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Daily Alert newsletter.
#FLEXTIME WORK SCHEDULE FREE#
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