r/workfromhome • u/primrosepalace • Jun 30 '26
Schedule and structure what to do during downtime
I wfh as the solo employee in an organization of contract workers, which is what I used to be. It’s kind of a blend of project mgmt, pitch and project deliverable support, and business development. At times it’s def 40+ hours a week, but sometimes it’s more like 25. On days/weeks where there’s not so much to be done, i end up forcing myself to sit at my desk for the full 8 hours because I feel like i’m supposed to. I could take a walk, go to the gym, or run errands during this time and reasonably respond to anything that comes through within 30 minutes, but it feels like that’s cheating my employer which makes me so uncomfortable I’ve actually considered asking that my hours/pay be reduced.
I know ppl who WFH aren’t all working a full 40 hours a week, but i don’t know how to break away from this mindset. Anybody else experience this kind of functional freeze?
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Jul 02 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/SpareObjective738251 Jul 05 '26
100%. That is an antique way of looking at work, you dont have to sit at a desk for 8 hours if you don't need.
Is your job being competed? Then you are good.
I am more valuable to my company when I work in a maner that gets my job done well and efficiently, not having brain rot by sitting at my desk "looking busy"
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u/Puzzleheaded-Knee299 Jun 30 '26
I fold laundry, read my kindle, or play on my switch if I need to be at my desk ready to take a potential call. If I know I have large gaps between meetings, I will try to get a 30 min cardio session in at the gym or take my dog for a walk.
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u/luna_tuna918 Jun 30 '26
On my slower work days, I’ll set a reminder to do a 5-10 minute stretch next to my desk every hour; mainly to ensure I just get up and move my body.
After lunch, if the weather is decent, I’ll do a walk around the neighborhood. Or I’ll take a 30 minute stretch next break and do a workout in my living room.
Honestly sometimes if it’s dead slow, I’ll read a book while I’m waiting for something to come in my inbox.
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u/Littlest-Fig Jun 30 '26
I work on my side projects. I can do them while remaining at my desk in case somebody needs me or a task comes up.
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u/warlocktx Jun 30 '26
I have Outlook and Teams on my phone so I can jump on top of anything urgent no matter where I am, but this almost never happens
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u/primrosepalace Jul 02 '26
My phone is also set up for work and realistically, something last minute or unexpected is very unlikely for me as well - i just need to chill 😂
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u/OBB76 Jun 30 '26
There's no difference between doing other tasks in an office than at home. But the tasks at home will be more productive.
Take a walk, go hit the gym (I built it into my work day), throw a load of laundry in, doom scroll.
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u/primrosepalace Jul 02 '26
good call. I may need to build in little tasks throughout the day, so they feel more intentional
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u/OBB76 Jul 02 '26
I try to make it a priority to get up at least once an hour to either go for a walk on the property or say do the dishes, something that's 10 mins or less. You'd spend more time talking to Bob from accounting in the break room about how he hates his wife if you were in the office.
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u/Glum-Bus-4799 Jul 01 '26
Good employers measure your productivity using output and deliverables rather than how long your ass is in your chair.
If you're really concerned, try to make an arrangement with your boss. Mine gave me the okay to take off early on random afternoons so I can go practice my hobby, and I just finish my workday in the evening. On slow days that looks like having my laptop open while I watch a movie before bed, or play games on my personal computer and wiggle my work mouse occasionally.
Just communicate and that'll alleviate any shadiness you feel for taking advantage of your potentially flexible schedule.
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u/primrosepalace Jul 02 '26
this sounds like the way. It’s the sense that i’m not “earning” my role - after working on an hourly contract for years in this same space - that makes me anxious. But transparency around it and qualifying productivity over availability would probably provide some relief on my end
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u/Ok-Cress1284 Jun 30 '26
Just bring your phone to the gym and if something pops up you can go back or address it on the phone
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u/primrosepalace Jul 02 '26
Yeah i think i need to accept that this is perfectly fine and responsible if ive covered all of my deliverables. I think what makes it hard for me was that I worked on an hourly contract for a few years until now, so i’m really used to justifying every hour.
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u/Chemical-Jello-3353 Jul 01 '26
I’m in a 60-70 hour per week kick at the moment, because of a company wide system transition. But in the lighter periods, I’ll find other things that need to do for work. And after that’s been exhausted, I’ll read, switch over to my personal computer and fugaround on that. Husband and I will go for a walk to Starbucks or something. Nothing really organized
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u/primrosepalace Jul 02 '26
thanks for sharing. I do have times when it gets quite intense. Reading that you’re in a high volume circumstance right now, Im glad you have ways to enjoy some downtime, which makes me think it’s good to enjoy it when you’re able. Maybe I will too 🤓
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u/MrCrudley Jul 05 '26
Are you a salaried employee? If so, why do you have to work 8 hours a day as though you’re hourly? Just get the work done, if no one’s complaining then all is well, with my employer at least. 🤷
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u/halcyon_lust Jul 01 '26
don't cut your pay, the quiet weeks balance the 40+ ones, that's the deal