Microsoft noted something interesting when their employees started working from home…that aside from teh usual uptick in performance before lunch and again after lunch a third peak or wind presented itself for a lot of them after they had dinner.
they aren’t 100% sure what’s causing it as it’s a new development so they need more time / data to collate but they have sound theories with the biggest being after that after dinner they can accomplish tasks without the phone call, web meetings and other distractions that got in the way of their productivity.
I’ve been working remotely for over 5 years now and this hasn’t happened with me. in fact, I take steps to shut down anything work related once my shift ends and ensure I am not tempted to look at anything during the weekends. of course, having a job where even most of my customers are usually the usual 9 to 5, Mon to Fri probably helps.
I’m on a hybrid remote / in-office schedule. I log out of my work laptop when I’ve done my 8 hours and shut it off over the weekend. I leave it in the office if I’m coming back in the next day. I’ve purposely set up accounts so that it’s a pain in the ass to sign into work email from any device other than my work laptop.
Hourly employees like myself in indurstries like mine have this luxury and should use / enjoy it. Some folks feel like they should be “on” all the time - their home lives are so terrible that work is an escape, they’re addicted to overtime money, they feel obligated to bosses or clients, they want to climb the ladder, etc. My personal feeling is if I’m not on the clock, I couldn’t care less what’s going on at work. My time is the most valuable commodity I have. My company does not encourage overtime, and I tend to avoid it as much as possible. I’m so, so grateful to be with a company in an industry that is flexible / reasonable / understanding about work-life balance. My leaders and colleagues don’t bother me outside of office hours, and I don’t bother them. Few things are so crucial that they are worth interrupting someone’s free time.
My wife is salaried, but she might as well be hourly. Like me, she avoids work stuff outside of office hours / beyond 40 hours a week like the plague. Fortunately her employers rarely ask for anything beyond that.
Attitudes and traditions vary widely between the United States where I work and Asia and Europe. I’ll leave it at that!
9 months remote work or hybrid model and i have enjoyed it, some client visit here and there but no need to go office. The only third wind i would have if somethings are really needed to be done. Like really needed to be done. Not pleasing anyone and it would help me for the days to come.
I could take a short “second lunch” after the work day. Some nice coffee and hit the keyboard for 2-3 hours with some music. Put the extra in the “hour bank” and some days use it back and stop working like 1-2h earlier.
Or if the hours start be near the limit ask the boss if i could have few days off.
Took 4 days off at xmas.
If projects and troubleshooting can wait, they will wait.
Mainly its 9 to 5, Mo-Fri and i turn off the work pc and wont even look messages/emails on phone.
Someone will call if there is actual “fire” since we in the 24/7 buss and they need people.
Sinice Covid, i have been working a bit from home. Still, most days at the office, but try to get a some days from home now and then. I too close down my work laptop as soon as my working hours are done (0800-1600, if i am not working the late shift) and i never open my work laptop when im off work unless i get a call from a colleague.
As for an uptick in performance, i find that if i have work that requires a lot of concentration, i work much better from home than in the “cubicle” at work, where there is more noise and interruptions from co-workers. If i am doing more casual work and answering customer support calls (and this is what i do most of the time anyway), i think my performance is pretty much the same where ever i sit You can get a bit more calm when dealing with more, lets say demanding, customers when you sit at home though, as you don’t feel all your co-workers listening in and speculating in what you are dealing with on the phone
My biggest benefit from working from home though is the luxury of playing music or podcasts in the background (on my speakers), and saving time on the commute…
You can get a bit more calm when dealing with more, lets say demanding, customers when you sit at home though, as you don’t feel all your co-workers listening in and speculating in what you are dealing with on the phone 