The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many employees work, with some individuals now opting to work when they are most productive rather than adhering to fixed office hours. This practice, known as "dead zone" work, allows employees to break up their workday to better accommodate personal responsibilities and optimize their productivity.
One example is working parents like Jade Fitzgerald, an experience design director at a design agency, who needs flexibility in her work schedule to accommodate childcare responsibilities. Jade's workday extends beyond the hours that nurseries are open, so she structures her work hours to include time for nursery drop-offs and pick-ups, as well as bonding with her child. She often logs back in later in the evening to complete her assignments.
Another example is Justin Fox, a digital public relations and outreach manager who coordinates with a global team. By taking an afternoon break, he can recharge and avoid working until the early hours of the morning to accommodate team members in different time zones. Justin emphasizes that simple automation of emails based on time zones may not be the best solution as it could impact prompt responses to incoming messages.
While many people use the gained afternoon time for leisure activities or to achieve a better work-life balance, there are challenges associated with dead zone work. One of the drawbacks is the risk of overworking, unreasonable expectations, and burnout. Employees who engage in dead zone work may find it difficult to switch off completely, leading to potential burnout. The flexibility may also result in a constant feeling of being "on" and managing various personal and professional tasks simultaneously.
Despite these drawbacks, some workers like Lydia Cardona, a PR consultant, do not feel overworked because they are able to accomplish personal tasks earlier in the day. However, managing others' expectations becomes a challenge, as not everyone recognizes or understands this working pattern. Dead zone workers emphasize the need for acceptance and respect from within organizations to meet the daily life needs of employees, especially those with children or dependents.
Dead zone workers employ various strategies to manage their time effectively. They create prioritized to-do lists and may use planning tools to stay organized. Transparency about their working schedule is crucial, including blocking out time in their calendars to prevent meeting bookings during their offline hours and setting realistic expectations on deadlines.
Jade Fitzgerald believes that the focus should be on the quality and efficiency of the work rather than the number of hours put in. She argues that if the job is done well, it shouldn't matter if she logs out a few hours early and completes the remaining work in the evening. Dead zone workers like Jade have spent years building their expertise and skills, which allow them to work efficiently even in non-traditional working hours.
Creating a supportive work environment where dead zone workers can thrive is a shared responsibility between managers and individuals. Trust, openness, and feedback are essential elements of a culture that enables flexible working. This trust allows employees to work when they are most productive and deliver their best work. It also benefits businesses by promoting peak productivity and allowing individuals to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
In conclusion, dead zone work has become a popular alternative to traditional fixed office hours, with employees breaking up their workday to align better with personal responsibilities and optimize productivity. While there are challenges to address, such as overworking and managing expectations, creating a culture of trust and flexibility can lead to improved work-life balance and increased productivity for both employees and businesses.