It’s been nearly a year since the world entered lockdown due to COVID-19—a year filled with mask-wearing, social distancing, and adapting to remote work. At least for those fortunate enough to still have employment.
Throughout this time, we’ve discovered that while we can manage a multitude of tasks, it doesn’t always mean we should have to. Having worked from home for over seven years, I found the transition to be more about balancing work with my kiddo’s presence. It’s been a significant change, but I was already accustomed to remote work.
I enjoy starting my day by rolling out of bed and stepping into my home office. I appreciate the autonomy to manage my workload without constant oversight, and I value communicating with clients through email. For me, being a work-from-home mom is a perfect blend of career passion and the flexibility needed to be the parent I aspire to be.
However, not everyone shares this sentiment. Many of my friends have struggled with the shift to remote work. They miss their office environments—where they could enjoy uninterrupted focus, pop into colleagues’ offices for quick questions, and foster a collaborative spirit that comes from being physically together. They also long for the clear separation between work and home life that once contributed to a healthier work/life balance.
Rachel Jones, a public academic, philanthropic innovator, and social entrepreneur, resonates with these concerns. To address the challenges posed by remote work, she instituted a “no meeting Friday” policy at her company. In a recent Instagram post, she elaborated on this initiative, introducing the idea of “humane scheduling.”
Humane scheduling is a refreshing concept, yet it should be standard practice across all companies. As Rachel noted, remote work often leads to back-to-back Zoom meetings, an expectation that would have been unthinkable before the pandemic. The added pressures of caring for children or loved ones, alongside pandemic-related anxiety, have made it increasingly difficult to navigate work responsibilities.
Fridays are now reserved for completing tasks discussed in meetings, allowing time for rest, creative thinking, and simply catching up on work without the pressure of ongoing meetings. Rachel encourages us to rethink what normal should look like and reminds us that what has always been doesn’t have to dictate our future.
Her initiative is a breath of fresh air. Employees shouldn’t have to end their workweek burdened by unfinished tasks that linger into the weekend. They deserve the opportunity to finalize work without the chaos of back-to-back meetings. If remote work is our new reality, it’s crucial for employers to acknowledge and address the unique challenges that arise when home and work collide.
Implementing no-meeting Fridays is just one way to reimagine normalcy and provide employees the freedom to enter the weekend with a sense of relief.
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In summary, Rachel Jones’ concept of humane scheduling offers a refreshing perspective on remote work dynamics, advocating for employee well-being and balance. It reminds us that reimagining our work structures can lead to a more humane and efficient workplace.
Keyphrase: humane scheduling
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