Ground rules for hybrid work and availability

People who work in the office, at home and on the move can be reached through many channels – and often also when they would not need to be. Shared ground rules in the team create clarity: when you are available, which channel is for what, how meetings run and when people work undisturbed. This costs a workshop and a bit of discipline, but no budget.

What belongs in the ground rules?

Four questions are enough to start. Availability: when are we there, what is a real emergency? Channels: what goes in the chat, what in an email, what response time is normal? Meetings: when are they necessary, how long may they be? Focus time: when do we work without interruption? Write the answers down on one page.

What framework already exists?

Working hours and the eleven-hour rest period after the end of work (§ 5 ArbZG, German law) apply regardless of the place of work. If there is an agreement on mobile work, the team rules build on it. If there is a works council, involve it.

Where does it usually fail?

With the managers. Anyone who sends messages in the evening sets the pace, even if they expect no reply. Delayed sending or a clear “not urgent” helps. Review the rules in the team after three months and adjust whatever is not being followed.