Working in Shifts and Different Timezones

Here are some common challenges that come with working with people from different time zones (and how to deal with them):

Asynchronous schedules

This is perhaps the most obvious challenge. It can be very difficult to touch base with people if they’re on the other side of the world and are already fast asleep by the time you go on your shift. However, this is unavoidable if you’re working with a distributed team throughout the world or if your client is from somewhere that’s a good ten or twelve hours ahead or behind your own time zone.

Furthermore, setting deadlines and meetings can be confusing. Did the client mean 10 PM PST or EST? When they said Wednesday evening, did it mean your Wednesday evening or theirs?

Recommended solutions: Always have the time zone talk when you sit down with a new client. Establish which time zone will be the standard before you even begin to set times and dates for meetings and deadlines.

If you want to make things as easy for the client as possible, offer to use their time zone as reference, but do use a world clock app or something similar so you never end up accidentally missing your shift or deadline. When a client suggests meeting at PST time, don’t suggest an alternative in a different time zone to avoid confusion.

If this isn’t possible, say, when a client’s hours encroach on your sleeping time or family time too much, meet halfway. Project management software allows people to leave notes and feedback for their clients and staff, so these come in handy. Also, you may allot a fixed weekly meeting for real-time updates on ongoing projects.

Blurred boundaries

If you think remote working alongside people on the same time zone impinges on your personal time, working with people from different time zones takes this to a whole new level.

This is especially true if you decide to follow a client’s time zone instead of yours. You may find yourself doing some work on Sunday night so it’ll be ready by Monday morning on their side of the globe. On the flip side, this also means your weekend might start earlier.

Recommended solutions: Adjustments and compromises are necessary in such cases. You may have to reconfigure your sleeping schedule a bit or find other ways to spend time with your family in some cases.

If you have to work late nights, make sure to get a good nap in beforehand and stick to a nutritious diet so your body can cope with the strain.

However, it is important to be firm about your personal time. Once your shift ends for the day, get off work in every sense. Log off your email or Skype and turn your phone off. Otherwise, it’ll all be too easy to get sucked in to work outside your shift and you risk burning yourself out.

And should a personal emergency arise, just leave your client a message to give them a heads-up.

Less Rapport

Emails and project management software are great for getting things done across a distributed team, but let’s face it, there’s nothing like getting an immediate response or being able to brainstorm alongside your colleagues in real-time.

It can also feel quite isolating to be working without any live feedback from your colleagues if you’re transitioning from a traditional workplace.

Recommended solutions: If you can’t find people to connect with at work, include social breaks in your schedule. Chat up a friend, even if it’s just on a social media platform, during lunch or arrange to meet up with family members for dinner after your shift.

You can also try going to a co-working space or a coffee shop, just so you can work around people and not feel so isolated.

Video conferences at weird hours

Let’s face it. Sometimes, this is simply unavoidable. An emergency or a pressing matter could require the entire team to participate in a video conference and the timing won’t be favorable for everyone.

Recommended solutions: If you happen to be on the losing end of this schedule, again, take a nap beforehand. Showing up tired and sleep-deprived will hinder your ability to comprehend anything or to make the right decision if called upon.

Also, be more forgiving of any colleagues who show up to video call looking a little scruffy or bleary-eyed.