The Effect of Meeting-Free Weeks on Distributed Workers' Unstructured Time

Explore a conference talk examining the impact of meeting-free weeks on distributed workers' unstructured time. Delve into an interview study conducted at an enterprise software company, uncovering three distinct worker orientations during these periods: Focus, Collaborative, and Time-Bound. Investigate the challenges in attention negotiation arising from these orientations and the potential for technical interventions. Analyze findings from a follow-up study on attention negotiation strategies and compensating mechanisms developed by workers during meeting-free weeks. Gain insights into how virtual collaboration mechanisms adapt in response to organizational interventions, extending previous research on distributed work practices.