Meetings and appointments will be more efficient, effective, and flexible.
Staff have indicated that their schedule is full of meetings and appointments that has created challenges for wellbeing, especially with too many back-to-back meetings and appointments that make it challenging to complete administrative work, take breaks, and manage basic needs.
The following strategies focus on ways to enhance this aspect of our culture within the division.
- Before scheduling a meeting, consider if a meeting is needed or if the objectives can be accomplished through other means (e.g. email, Microsoft Teams Chat, quick phone call).
- When possible, intentionally schedule meetings with a 15-minute break between the top of the hour (or before the next meeting) to allow space and time for basic needs and re-charging (e.g., schedule 45-minute meetings instead of 60-minute meetings).
- As you are able, block structured time in your calendar during the week to attend to administrative tasks and work with your supervisor to limit meetings scheduled over that period to reduce work being pushed into off work hours.
- As a division, we will avoid scheduling meetings or programs over the lunch hour (with exception of an emergency or a gathering where lunch is provided). We want everyone to take their lunch and avoid working over this period. Some areas may take lunch breaks in shifts and it is important to honor that time within the department, so each employee has time in their day to rest and recharge.