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Productivity

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Scheduling Across Time Zones

Published: March 11, 2024 4 min read

Scheduling international meetings seems simple until you realize half the team is asleep. Here are the top mistakes to avoid:

1. Forgetting Daylight Saving Time (DST)

Not every country follows DST, and those that do don't all change on the same date. Always verify the current offset.

2. Assuming Everyone Works 9-to-5

In some cultures, workdays start earlier or end later. Some countries have different workweeks (e.g., Sunday-Thursday in parts of the Middle East).

3. Not Specifying the Time Zone

Never just say "The meeting is at 10 AM." Always include the zone (e.g., 10 AM UTC or 10 AM EST).

4. Overloading on Meetings

Because finding a common time is hard, teams often squeeze too many topics into one call. Focus on high-value discussions.

5. Ignoring the Local Context

Check for local holidays in the countries where your team members are based. A Monday in the US might be a public holiday in the UK or India.

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