A 2022 study stated the biggest challenge for remote workers is unplugging after work. With technology making it easier than ever to stay connected, it's tempting to answer emails or take calls even when we're “out of hours”.
But if we don't take steps to disconnect, we can quickly find ourselves burnt out and overwhelmed.
💻 Emails pinging
📱 Phone calls from managers and colleagues who don't understand your availability
💬 WhatsApp work questions and messages
🏠 Incorrect assumption that if you can work from home you are always available
So what can remote workers do to unplug?
❌ Turn our phones off? No, wait, I need to pick my daughter up from the bus stop and she might need to call me.
❌ Disable my email notifications? How do I even do that? And will that stop me checking my email anyway!?
❌ Mute the whatsapp group(s)? Mmmm, seems most people still expect an immediate response and I'll probably forget to turn them back on when I need them.
Okay, there must be a solution?
Well, there is.
✅ BuzzHubs shows real time availability so you can SEE who is in a meeting, on a break, on a call, AND who has "unplugged".
✅ This builds TRUST through TRANSPARENCY.
❌ BuzzHubs will NEVER spy on remote workers, monitor keystrokes or tap in to a webcam.
✅ BuzzHubs WILL integrate with key systems such as VOIP and calendars to automatically show when people are not available to respond to messages or pick up a call.
✅ And if a remote or flexible worker is taking some time out of work and needs to unplug, they update their stats as, well, "unplugged" (great unique name we gave that, huh) and give an estimated time for when they'll be available again.
💬 Someone goes to instant message them? They're politely told not to, or are offered a delayed send at their colleagues expected back time.
📱 A co-worker goes to phone them? Again, politely remind them their colleague is unplugged and not available right now. Want to be notified when they are free though? Sure, no problem.
Remote and flexible working has brought countless benefits to millions of workers across the globe. But 2 years+ since Covid lockdowns, it's no longer acceptable to paper over the cracks.
Understanding of availability and a simple tool will help solve the biggest challenge facing remote workers right now, and those accepting and tackling this problem will benefit from happier and more productive teams.
Have you taken BuzzHubs for a test drive yet?
