Microsoft Outlook is getting an update. It will provide companies with the opportunity to end or start any meeting earlier than scheduled automatically. This should let employees have breaks between consecutive meetings.
Microsoft Outlook Looking To Help Employees
The latest update for Microsoft Outlook is aimed at reducing the virtual overload that is associated with working remotely. Now, companies will have the option to set their personalized defaults for scheduling which are completely customizable. This means that five minutes could be blocked off after or before half an hour meetings; and 10-15 minutes for meetings that last longer. Personalized scheduling defaults can also be set by individuals. However, the option for the whole company is the most important change here.
Scheduling applications like Microsoft Outlook have held meetings precisely by the hour by default for decades. This has often led to an inadvertent promotion of the thought that consecutive meetings without breaks can be held by default. For instance, any meeting created on Microsoft Outlook today will automatically make it scheduled to last half an hour or an hour. Even the menu that drops down has no easy way of selecting custom times. The only option is entering it manually.
Microsoft is bringing about the changes after conducting its independent research regarding digital overload. It was done as an answer to the current pandemic situation where millions are having to work from their homes. Workers prefer communicating over video meetings. However, the change in the usual way of work is not without its drawbacks.
Jared Spataro, Microsoft 365’s corporate VP, said that increasing remote working has been a challenge for our well-being. As such, digital overload exists and it is important for things to improve. Microsoft believes this small update will provide a new concept about how to hold meetings with the aim of promoting wellbeing.
