Don't let your team work on the weekend
As a technology leader, you will face the dilemma of someone on your team putting in work on the weekends. Is that okay? Are there any negative outcomes? What about if you ask them to work weekends?
As a leader, you should appreciate when a team member is engaged, but you have failed if your team member feels the pressure to get work done outside their regular working hours. Are there exceptions? Sure, on-call, maintenance windows, or unforeseen outages might require extra time, but planned work should be done during regular working hours.
As a technology leader, you will face the dilemma of someone on your team putting in work on the weekends. They might send an email, post on Slack, or make a GitHub commit, all things that clue you in on weekends or after-hours work. As their manager, do you say something or let it go? Answer: say something. As a leader, you must determine if your team works outside of regular hours due to pressures to get the work done or for some other reason. It is essential to communicate to your team that they should not work weekends or after hours for several reasons:
Promote work-life balance: Encouraging your team to take a break on weekends and recharge can help prevent burnout and promote work-life balance. It allows them to prioritize their personal life and hobbies, contributing to overall well-being and job satisfaction.
Prevent overworking: Overworking can lead to fatigue, mistakes, and decreased productivity. If your team is consistently working weekends, it may indicate that the workload is too heavy or they are not managing their time effectively. Encouraging a healthy work-life balance can help ensure they work efficiently and effectively during regular work hours.
Show you value their time: By explicitly telling your team that they should not work weekends, you show that you value their time and respect their personal boundaries. This can help build trust and promote a positive team culture, increasing motivation and engagement.
Set a good example: As a leader, your actions and behaviors can influence your team's work habits. If you consistently work weekends or send emails outside of regular work hours, your team may feel pressure to do the same. By communicating that weekends are essential for rest and rejuvenation, you can set a positive example for your team.
Encouraging your team to take a break on weekends can positively impact their well-being, job satisfaction, and productivity. It is essential to communicate this expectation clearly and consistently and to lead by example.
Suppose a team member consistently works extra hours on the weekend. In that case, it's crucial to have a conversation with them to understand their motivation and ensure they are not overworking and putting their well-being at risk. Here are some steps you can take:
Start by acknowledging their dedication and hard work, but express your concern for their well-being. Let them know you appreciate their commitment to the team and the project but want to ensure they are not overworking themselves.
Ask them why they feel the need to work on the weekends. They may have personal reasons, such as family obligations or a desire to stay ahead of their workload. Or they may feel pressure to work extra hours because they are concerned about meeting deadlines or keeping up with the workload.
Work with them to identify the root cause of the need to work on the weekends. If the workload is too heavy, you can discuss ways to manage their workload better or delegate some of their responsibilities to other team members. If they feel pressure to work on the weekends, you can help them prioritize their tasks and set realistic deadlines.
Encourage them to take breaks and practice self-care. Remind them of the importance of work-life balance and encourage them to take time off to rest and recharge.
Consider offering additional support or resources, such as extra training or coaching to improve their time management skills or access to an employee assistance program or mental health resources.
It's essential to approach the conversation with empathy and understanding and to work collaboratively to find a solution that works for everyone. By addressing the root cause of the need to work on weekends and encouraging self-care and work-life balance, you can help ensure that your team member stays healthy and productive.
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