The solution is simple: Don’t do it. Sending emails on the weekend cab make others think you’re struggling keeping up with your work. That the 40, 50, 60-hour workweek isn’t enough to get the job done.

By sending weekend emails, you’re sending a signal to your team. It may appear that it’s normal and expected to be checking and responding to emails during time off. That’s bad. Everyone deserves downtime to engage in activities unrelated to work.

The effects on your team

Typically, nothing productive can be accomplished over the weekend either. What happens if your team members read your email on Saturday? They may have to sacrifice their free time to respond. Stress builds up when there is not much they can do over the weekend. All they think about until Monday is that particular topic.

Now, picture Monday mornings for your staff. They walk in and find a full inbox awaiting them, triggering stress right at the start of the week. It can feel like an insurmountable mission.

As a leader, you also serve as a role model. Show your team that you are serious with your time off and empower them to do the same. A refreshed and healthy leader can achieve far more than an exhausted one.

How to go about no e-mail weekends

If achieving this seems impossible, here are some ways to help you identify the root causes of working on weekends:

1. Lack of delegation: Have you delegated as much as possible to your team? Are you still handling 80% of the tasks yourself? Delegation is essential for distributing workload. And it develops the skills of your team members. Trust your team to take on responsibilities and give them the chance to excel.

2. Lack of priorities: Do you know which tasks will support your career and performance? Learn about the Pareto principle: 80% of outcomes depends on 20% of inputs. Identify the critical tasks that serve your goals. Focus on those, and let go of non-essential or low-priority work.

3. Work addiction: Perhaps you are addicted to work, finding more time to work than necessary. This may stem from the belief that working eases the effects of other issues and worries. It’s crucial to establish a healthy work-life balance. Recognise that constant work can lead to diminished productivity. Or health issues in the worst case. Seek support if needed, and create boundaries to protect your well-being.

4. Uninterrupted time: Finally, you have uninterrupted time to work with focus. What about scheduling focused work time during the week? Plan dedicated blocks of time for deep work. With this, productivity and efficiency can increase. Minimise distractions, communicate your availability to your team. Prioritise uninterrupted work sessions to achieve important tasks.

5. High demands: Your role requires meeting high expectations. Have you had the opportunity to address these with your manager, or is something holding you back? There should be an open communication with your superiors or stakeholders about workload, deadlines, and expectations. Clarify priorities, negotiate deadlines if necessary, and ensure that your workload aligns with your capacity.

It’s a consistent effort

By addressing these factors, you can free yourself from weekend work and create a healthier work-life. Your well-being and productivity will thank you.

Remember, creating a culture of work-life balance within your team is not a one-time effort. It requires consistent reinforcement, open communication, and leading by example. Encourage your team to prioritise their well-being and take time off to recharge and do nothing. Emphasise the importance of downtime and establish boundaries.

With these strategies in place, you have a more productive and balanced work environment. Where weekends are a time for relaxation and wellbeing. Start by making a commitment to yourself and your team to break the cycle of weekend emails and create a healthier work-life for all.

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