Working from home (yes, the secret is out), I thought it would be OK if I never announced my hours of operation. After all, I work all the time. Literally. Ask my wife.
However, for the sake of mental health, familial stability and domesticity (I work to live, not vice versa) , I have had to make certain rules. It’s a basic tenet of life that boundaries are a necessity. So one rule I had to make was that I didn’t work on weekends.
Except maybe Saturday mornings…maybe!
The problem is that there are many people – especially clients – who do work longer hours and all days. Not everyone has the same restrictions or boundaries.
So, I have found it necessary to announce ahead of time when I am available for work, how I manage phone calls, emails,etc, and announce when to expect replies.
Business Hours are as follows:
- Monday to Friday : 9am to 5pm.
- Deliveries: as above, plus Saturday 9am to noon. Saturday mornings set aside for web updates, final project deliveries, etc.
- In-person meetings: by appointment. Evening meetings available after 7:30pm
- Skype/Web cam meetings: by appointment.
- Email/Voicemail: Expect replies within four business hours.
- Lunch: 1pm to 2pm (subject to change)
- Closed: Saturday noon to Monday 9am. Expect email and telephone replies Monday.
- Holidays: Christmas Eve to Boxing Day; New Years Eve to following business day 9am.
NBurman Design will be closed on all Canadian Stat Holidays:
- New Year’s Day – January 1
- Good Friday – April 2
- Easter Monday – April 5
- Victoria Day – May 24
- Canada Day – July 1
- Labour Day – September 6
- Thanksgiving – October 11-12
- Remembrance Day – November 11
Exceptions may be made for emergencies only, but will be billed accordingly (regular rate + 50%)
I hope this makes the question of hours of operation a little clearer. Thanks for understanding!
