Dear Colleagues,
We heard you. In this year’s Staff@Work Survey, many of you shared how much you value the opportunity to work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. You also shared that remote work comes with some challenges, including maintaining work/life balance, especially with the increased number of Zoom meetings throughout the day.
Our Chancellor listened, and has authorized me to announce a new innovation to support staff who are working remotely. I’m pleased to introduce Zoom-Free Friday Afternoons, an alternative approach to work on Friday afternoons for those who engage in frequent Zoom interactions and meetings.
I encourage staff to avoid scheduling regular, administrative meetings on Fridays after 12 p.m. whenever possible. With technology as the centerpiece of our ability to collaborate and connect, it can be hard to find the time and bandwidth to do more focused, individual work. My hope is that by securing this weekly block of time, staff will be able to work in a more balanced and effective way. Zoom-Free Friday Afternoons might also be a great time to catch up on professional reading and engage in other career development activities, like virtual trainings.
Please note: Zoom-Free Friday Afternoons are not time off from work, but rather a way to reduce the stress that comes along with frequent Zoom meetings and carve out time for individual, focused work. By using the last few hours of the work week to check things off your to-do list, you’ll be able to head into the weekend with a sense of accomplishment so that you can relax and rejuvenate.
Here are some more ideas for finding balance in a Zoom-intensive world:
- Schedule 50 minute meetings: Build in time for a stretch break by scheduling 50 minute meetings instead of a full hour.
- Get some fresh air: Enjoy our beautiful San Diego weather by taking a Zoom meeting from your patio or backyard.
- Talk on the phone: Consider shifting meetings to a phone call instead of Zoom when it makes sense.
On behalf of the Chancellor and all of the executive leadership at UC San Diego, I’d like to extend my gratitude to our vibrant and innovative staff community. Please know how impressed we continue to be with the work we see happening across our campus every day.
