One Monday morning, we received an email from our CEO introducing quiet time.
Dear All,
I would like the business to trial having some quiet time, over the next 4 weeks…
One of the great things about this business, is that everyone is always happy to help and support their fellow colleagues. This is a brilliant culture and I would like it to continue but sometimes we need some quiet time for ourselves.
“I love my kids to bits but sometimes its great when they are in bed and we get a bit of peace to get on with stuff around the house…”
I would therefore like to propose some quiet time, so that everyone has the opportunity to concentrate and focus on their own job and task in hand. Sometimes we simply don’t have this opportunity.
I am therefore proposing that on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9.30am and 11.30am we have some quiet time.
What does this mean ?
There should be no meetings, no internal commercial conversations, no colleague interruptions, no internal calls, no emails etc….
I would like to do this during August and will obtain feedback at the end, to see if this trial has worked and if it has given you time, to do what you need to without interruptions.
Thank you
CEO
Quiet Time is a scheduled period, typically ranging from 1 to 3 hours, during which employees are expected to minimize distractions and focus on deep, uninterrupted work. During this time, meetings, phone calls, and non-urgent communications are discouraged, and employees are encouraged to work independently in a quiet environment.
What has improved in our case
Initially, it seems to be a good idea to improve focus and productivity. Quiet Time allowed employees to concentrate on complex tasks that require deep thinking, free from the constant interruptions of emails, messages, or casual conversations.
By providing dedicated time for focused work, some employees completed tasks more efficiently, reducing the need to work overtime or take work home. Some introverts, who often thrive in quiet environments, find Quiet Time particularly beneficial, as it allows them to work in a way that aligns with their natural preferences.
What are the challenges?
However, implementing the policy came with its share of challenges. To begin with, quiet time cannot be enforced company-wide, as teams like customer support and sales are required to interact with clients during office hours, and clients are not bound by internal quiet time policies. Additionally, in an open-plan office setup, enforcing such a policy proves to be particularly challenging.
While quiet time can be beneficial if uniformly adopted, coordinating it becomes complex when teams operate across different time zones. One solution could be to establish separate quiet time slots for each time zone. Still, this approach reduces the available window for communication and collaboration, potentially diminishing the overall value of the effort.
Is Quiet Time Worth It?
The answer depends on your organization’s unique needs and work culture. If your employees frequently struggle with distractions and express a need for more focused work time, Quiet Time can be a highly effective solution. It can lead to increased productivity, reduced stress, and a more respectful work environment. If your workplace thrives on constant collaboration and communication, Quiet Time may not be the best fit. In such cases, consider alternative solutions, such as flexible work hours or designated quiet spaces, to accommodate different work styles.
The policy did not work for us in the long run. Our open-plan office, which housed customer service and sales teams in a collaborative environment, made it challenging for client-focused teams to receive timely support from other business units, which affected our SLA.
However, Implementing Quiet Time in the office can be a powerful way to enhance productivity, reduce stress, and create a more balanced work environment. However, its success depends on careful planning, clear communication, and a willingness to adapt based on employee feedback. By weighing the benefits and challenges and tailoring the approach to your organization’s needs, you can determine whether Quiet Time is worth implementing in your office. If done right, it can become a valuable tool for fostering both individual focus and team collaboration.