Working remotely increases stress levels as online meetings can be initiated anytime with just a mouse click. The latest Microsoft Work Trend Index study reveals the stress employees face attending numerous meetings in a day without breaks. The research also underscores the importance of taking breaks for health and work performance.
Outlook adds break feature for meetings
For this reason, Microsoft provides companies and individuals with the option to customize meeting times in the Outlook software. The settings allow you to choose the duration you want to rest and even the exact time you want to take a break: either when the meeting starts or ends.
Microsoft has given an example of setting a 5-minute break before 30-minute meetings or taking a 15-minute break after hour-long meetings. Once the setting is enabled and employees schedule a meeting, the start or end time will automatically adjust based on personal or company-wide settings.
If this feature is enabled at the company level, individuals can easily change or customize settings at any time for a personal meeting or all their meetings. When there are changes organization-wide, employees will receive notifications about it. The setting adjustments will apply across Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, Outlook on the Web, Outlook for iOS, and Outlook for Android.
To use this feature, you need to update to the latest version of Microsoft Outlook:
Setting up break time between meetings is a breeze. Here's how you do it:
- Open Outlook and navigate to Settings.
- Choose Calendar and click on Events and Invitations.
- Here, check the option Shorten duration for all events and select either Start event early or Start event late from the menu.
- Lastly, specify the time and click OK to save the changes.
Microsoft states that the new break feature will provide 'a simple remedy and a fresh perspective on meetings, giving you a short time to recharge, grab a drink, or simply step into the next meeting more gently.' If you don't have an Outlook account yet, you can refer to the registration guide in the article below by Mytour and follow the instructions.
- Explore now: How to register for Outlook