How Women Are Maintaining Productivity And Remote‑Friendly Schedules For The Holidays

Working from home through the holidays is an optimal arrangement for many women. You can tackle your professional responsibilities while enjoying every moment of seasonal festivities with your loved ones. Arranging a change doesn’t have to affect your career momentum either. Learn how women are negotiating remote holiday schedules without sacrificing their performance or productivity.

Smart communication is essential for any remote employee. Working on tasks outside of the office requires expertise in video chat and written text communication. You can’t rely on in-person body language or quick desk chats, but that shouldn’t hold you back from your remote holiday schedule.

Think about how your written collaboration abilities impact your work. McKinsey found that 44% of polled employees blame communication barriers for incomplete projects or delays. If you encounter the same challenge, you could talk with your manager about the email or messaging routine you’ll maintain to ensure that your projects remain on deadline.

As a resource, you can read books or watch videos about interpersonal skills to show your dedication. You’ll possibly develop new habits that make the workplace stronger, whether you’re in the office or working from home. They could make your professional development happen faster, even if your boss wants you at your office desk during the holidays. 

People sometimes struggle with their boundaries when they start working remotely. You might develop habits such as checking your email after hours or working longer than you would if you had to commute home. You could even find it easier to focus for long periods without breaks while working from your couch. Falling into that habit could lead to numerous physical side effects, such as back pain or eyestrain.

Consider which boundaries will help you thrive in a remote holiday routine. Talk with your manager about the hours you want to set and how many days per week you’ll work. If you set reminders for breaks and clocking out in the evening, you’ll maintain your productivity and your mental health. 

Setting boundaries is an excellent practice to maintain if you return to in-person work as well. You’ll be able to say no and advocate for your mental health better if you honor your limits during your remote schedule.

Remote employees must be reliable. You may have better luck negotiating a work-from-home schedule if you highlight your accomplishments during your conversation with your boss. Talk about all the ways you contribute to your team, set high professional standards, and show up for people in the workplace.

If you’re unsure what to mention, reflect on your performance reviews from the past year. Showcasing how you’re open to growth and reliable could make your manager more inclined to approve a remote routine during the holiday season.

Upcoming productivity strategies are the flipside to talking about what you contribute to your team. Accomplishing things in the workplace is different than being productive in your living space. After highlighting your skills, speak with your boss about how you’ll remain productive in the comfort of your home.

You might also mention how you plan to revamp your calendar. Organizing your time for a remote routine could boost your productivity and help you enjoy the holiday season.

“I purposefully do not over-schedule my time,” says Francine Tone, an appellate attorney in California. “I plan my workweek with appointments and commitments first, then add high-level tasks. I do not fill up every 15-minute segment with a task or a to-do.”

Note how each strategy will boost your productivity and keep you on schedule. Your commitment to showing up for your team wherever you work could make your negotiations more successful.

Talking with your manager about a remote schedule for the holidays will feel easy if you enter the conversation with targeted strategies. Point out your accomplishments and how you’ll keep your tasks on track with productivity strategies. You can achieve the best outcome if your manager sees how much thought you’ve put into making remote work successful throughout the holidays.