As we approach a year since the world transitioned into lockdown due to COVID-19, many have adapted to a new normal of mask-wearing, social distancing, and remote work. For some, this shift has been challenging, especially for those who have had to juggle the demands of work and family life simultaneously.
I’ve been working from home for over seven years, so for me, the main adjustment was having my child at home with me. While that has certainly posed its own challenges, I was already accustomed to managing my work environment.
I enjoy the convenience of rolling out of bed and having my workspace just a few steps away. I appreciate the autonomy to manage my tasks without constant oversight and communicating with clients primarily through email. For me, being a work-from-home parent offers the perfect balance of career and family.
However, not everyone shares my perspective. I have friends who have found the transition to remote work difficult. They miss the quiet of their offices and the ability to collaborate in person with colleagues. Most importantly, they long for the clear boundary between their work and home life that previously contributed to a healthier work-life balance.
These sentiments resonate with public academic, philanthropic innovator, and social entrepreneur Rachel Green, who has taken action by introducing a “no meeting Friday” policy at her company. In a recent Instagram post, she elaborated on this initiative, stating, “The language my team has been using (and what you’ll see in our auto reply for incoming emails) is: compassionate scheduling.”
Understanding Compassionate Scheduling
Compassionate scheduling is a groundbreaking idea, yet it should be the standard across all companies. Green explained, “As we work from home, Zoom meetings seem to stack up back-to-back. In the past, we would never have this expectation of one another, especially with the numerous factors affecting our lives outside of work (pandemic anxiety, caring for children or loved ones full-time, experiencing ongoing racial trauma).”
She emphasized that Fridays should be reserved for completing tasks discussed in meetings, allowing time for rest, creative thought, and clearing out one’s inbox. “We are capable and often responsible—if only to ourselves—to reimagine what normal looks like,” she noted.
It is refreshing to advocate for a work culture that respects personal time. Employees should not be burdened with an overwhelming workload at the end of the week, nor should they feel compelled to continue working through the weekend. If remote work is now the norm, it’s crucial for employers to acknowledge the challenges that come with merging home and office life.
Implementing no-meeting Fridays is just one way to innovate what a balanced work environment can look like, giving employees the space to breathe and enter the weekend with a sense of accomplishment.
Additional Resources
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In summary, Rachel Green’s compassionate scheduling approach is a refreshing initiative that encourages a healthier work-life balance, especially in a world where home and office often blur together. Her insights remind us that we have the power to redefine our work environments to better suit our needs.