Here’s The Best Day And Time For A Meeting

As work reopens and many of us have adopted a hybrid schedule where we are at home a couple of days a week and in the office for another two or three days, the issue of how to hold an effective meeting has become a bigger and bigger problem.

When everyone was at home at the height of the pandemic and logging into the same Teams or Zoom meeting, it may have been a bit annoying dealing with wonky connections, people talking over each other and accidentally disconnecting themselves, but everyone was present together in one – albeit cloud-based – location.

Now, meetings are often a mix of some team members logging on from home, and some people in person in the office, all trying to avoid feedback loops, or gathered together around one screen, elbowing each other out of the way. It doesn’t work that well, but thanks to many employers’ requirements, lots of office workers are duty bound to be in the office for a portion of their working weeks.

Many of us feel a need to be physically present too, thanks to the phenomenon of proximity bias. It is the notion that those with close physical proximity to their team and management will be perceived as better workers and ultimately find more success at work. A recent Owl Labs Hybrid Work survey confirmed that 47% of employees believe proximity bias exists in the workplace.

So if you do have to be present and correct, it makes sense to maximise your presence. Here are the best – and worst – days to be in the office.

Monday and Friday

These two days seem like they’d be good for a meeting: you’re fresh on Monday, ready to tackle what the week brings. On Fridays you feel relaxed and more open, ready for the weekend. However, Monday is often a panic – you’re dealing with things you didn’t get done the week before and you can be on the back foot. Fridays are the least productive day according to a survey from task management company Redbooth. Additionally, these are the days we are most likely to take off, adding one or other onto a weekend to stretch it out, so trying to get the whole team together can be a faff.

Wednesday and Thursday

A 2019 Accountemps survey of more than 300 HR managers found that employee productivity drops on Wednesdays and Thursdays. So aware of this was Melbourne-based digital agency Versa that it has compressed its 37.5 hours working week over the course of four days instead of the standard five, giving employees every Wednesday off. Result: no meetings.

Tuesday

Bingo. The best day for a meeting. Monday is done, you’ve got headspace and can concentrate fully on work. Multiple studies agree it is the superior choice, and 39% of human resources managers think employees get the most done on Tuesdays too. But what is the best time for a meeting? The Redbooth study also found that the majority of tasks are completed around 11am and productivity decreases after lunchtime, completely dropping after 4pm, so a window of meeting opportunity between the two seems optimum.

If meetings are really getting you down and you’re looking for a better way, we’ve got three open roles at interesting companies to check out below – and there are plenty more to discover on the Job Board too.

Talent Strategy Advisor, Indeed

Indeed is looking for a Talent Strategy Advisor to serve as a recruitment evangelist and tell the company’s story to the market – on stage at events, during industry-wide webcasts, and in conference rooms at the largest employers. You will also be the sales force’s key marketing contact to help develop effective account specific go-to-market strategies. You’ll need a minimum of five years’ experience working with enterprise level companies and strong analytical skills, plus the ability to story tell with data in a compelling way. Apply now.

Operations Data Analyst, WeWork

WeWork is looking for a data-driven Analyst to join the international development operations team. You will provide critical insights and work closely with senior management and execute on a diverse range of initiatives including capex insights, delivery strategy and goal setting. You’ll need a BA/BS from a leading undergraduate institution, with a major in finance, economics, business or another quantitative focus, as well as one to three years’ of total work experience in banking, consulting, financial services, or sales operations. Apply now.

Head of Marketing, Europe, AESOP Corporate

The Head of Marketing, Europe leads, develops and advocates for the Aesop brand for Europe, and is expected to contribute to the global marketing strategy and its translation and implementation into the region. The role is responsible for and extends across all facets of marketing from regional brand strategy, customer management and experience, retail and brand marketing to channel mix, pricing and insights.You need a minimum of 10 years’ marketing experience and strong digital knowledge and practical experience. Apply now.

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