Time: 45 Minutes

STEP 1: Schedule a 45-minute team meeting (in person or virtual) to discuss the benefits of disconnecting from work after hours. Prepare a brief agenda to share in advance, highlighting:

• The goal of fostering rest and recharge time to enhance well-being and focus.
• The need for a team-wide approach to reduce after-hours work pressure.
• Send an email or message to your team and manager: “I’d like to propose a team discussion about creating boundaries to support disconnecting from work after hours. Can we schedule a meeting to explore this?” 

STEP 2: During the meeting, lead or contribute to a discussion on establishing a team pact. Propose specific boundaries, such as:

• No work-related emails, messages, or calls after 6:00 PM weekdays and on weekends, unless urgent.
• Exceptions for emergencies (critical deadlines or client escalations), with a clear definition of “emergency.” Encourage team input to ensure buy-in, such as suggesting alternative cutoff times (e.g., 6:30 PM) or exceptions based on roles. 

STEP 3: Establish a protocol for urgent after-hours communication. For example:

• Specify preferred channels (e.g., phone calls for emergencies, not emails or Slack).
• Designate a point person for specific scenarios (e.g., “For client issues, contact [Name] after hours”).
• Document the protocol in the shared pact document, ensuring clarity on what qualifies as an emergency to avoid overuse.

STEP 4: Share the finalized no-work pact with relevant stakeholders (manager, cross-functional teams, or clients) to set expectations. For example:

• Send a team email: “Our team has agreed to disconnect after 6:00 PM to support well-being. For urgent matters, please call [designated contact].”
• Update team calendars or project management tools to reflect the agreed boundaries.
• Confirm with your manager that the pact aligns with organizational goals.