check before: 2024-04-12
Product:
Exchange, Microsoft 365 Apps, Microsoft 365 for the web, Outlook, Teams
Platform:
Online, US Instances, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant
Status:
Rolling out
Change type:
Feature update, Updated message, User impact
Details:
Summary:
Microsoft Outlook is updating features related to working hours and location, with rollout timelines specified for various user groups. The updates include a revised daily location menu and integration of work location with Out of Office time. No admin action is required for the rollout.
Details:
Updated September 24, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below for GCC High and DoD. We apologize for the delay and will provide an updated timing when available. Thank you for your patience.
In 2023, Microsoft Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows released new flexible working hours that allowed users to set different working hours and location (office/remote) for individual workdays. Users could update their daily work location in the calendar and see their coworkers' work location in the scheduling assistant. We will soon roll out these additional updates:
Updated daily location menu to help users plan their day and see who else is in the office
Integrating your work location with your Out of Office time
This message refers to MC553273 (Updated) Outlook on the web - Work Hours and Location (May 2023) and is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 383721.
[When this will happen]
Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows
Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late March 2024 and expect to complete by late April 2024. Complete
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late March 2024 and expect to complete by late May 2024. Complete
General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out early May 2024 and expect to complete by late June 2024. Complete
General Availability (GCC High, and DoD): We will begin rolling out in early 2025. (We will provide an update once the schedule is set)
Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Targeted Release
Created:
2024-03-29
updated:
2024-09-25
Task Type
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Docu to Check
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MS How does it affect me
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MS Preperations
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MS Urgency
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MS workload name
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linked item details
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Pictures
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summary for non-techies**
Starting from late March 2024, Microsoft Outlook will introduce features for setting flexible working hours and locations, syncing "Out of Office" status with work location settings, and making this information visible to colleagues for better coordination.
Direct effects for Operations**
User Confusion
Users may be confused about the new daily location menu and how to set their working hours, leading to miscommunication about availability.
- roles: End Users, Team Leaders
- references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/learn-more-about-work-hours-in-outlook-af2fddf9-249e-4710-9c95-5911edfd76f6#ID0EBH=Classic_Outlook
Meeting Scheduling Issues
The integration of work location with Out of Office time may lead to scheduling conflicts if users do not properly set their working hours, resulting in missed meetings.
- roles: End Users, Project Managers
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=383721
Increased Support Requests
The rollout may lead to an increase in support requests as users seek assistance with the new features, impacting IT support resources.
- roles: IT Support Staff, Help Desk Agents
- references: https://aka.ms/NewWHLOutlook
Configutation Options**
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Opportunities**
Enhanced User Scheduling Experience
The integration of work location with Out of Office time allows users to manage their schedules more effectively, reducing scheduling conflicts and improving overall productivity. This feature enables better visibility into coworkers' availability based on their specified work locations, facilitating smoother collaboration.
- next-steps: Communicate the new scheduling features to users and provide training on how to effectively utilize the updated location settings in Outlook and Teams. Monitor user feedback to make necessary adjustments and improvements.
- roles: Project Managers, Team Leaders, HR Managers
- references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/learn-more-about-work-hours-in-outlook-af2fddf9-249e-4710-9c95-5911edfd76f6#ID0EBH=Classic_Outlook, https://aka.ms/NewWHLOutlook
Optimized Hybrid Work Management
With the ability to set different working hours and locations for individual days, organizations can better accommodate hybrid work models. This flexibility can lead to increased employee satisfaction and retention, as well as improved work-life balance.
- next-steps: Assess current hybrid work policies and consider integrating the new Outlook features into existing frameworks. Collect data on employee preferences and adapt policies accordingly to maximize engagement and productivity.
- roles: HR Managers, Operations Managers, IT Administrators
- references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=383721, https://aka.ms/NewWHLOutlook
Improved IT Administrative Efficiency
The automatic updates to user work locations and the integration with Teams reduces the administrative burden on IT staff for managing user profiles and scheduling conflicts. This can free up IT resources to focus on more strategic initiatives.
- next-steps: Review current IT administrative processes related to user scheduling and profile management. Explore automation tools that can leverage the new Outlook features to streamline these processes further.
- roles: IT Administrators, Operations Managers, System Administrators
- references: https://support.microsoft.com/office/learn-more-about-work-hours-in-outlook-af2fddf9-249e-4710-9c95-5911edfd76f6#ID0EBH=Classic_Outlook, https://aka.ms/NewWHLOutlook
Potentional Risks**
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IT Security**
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explanation for non-techies**
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** AI generated content. This information must be reviewed before use.
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change history
| Date | Property | old | new |
| 2024-09-25 | MC MessageTagNames | Feature update, User impact | Updated message, Feature update, User impact |
| 2024-09-25 | MC Summary | Microsoft Outlook for Windows and web will release new flexible working hours in 2023, allowing users to set different working hours and locations for individual workdays. Additional updates will include an updated daily location menu and integration of work location with Out of Office time. The rollout will begin in late March 2024 and is expected to be completed by late August 2024. No admin action is required, but users may want to update relevant documentation. Learn more with a blog coming in May 2024. | Microsoft Outlook is updating features related to working hours and location, with rollout timelines specified for various user groups. The updates include a revised daily location menu and integration of work location with Out of Office time. No admin action is required for the rollout. |
| 2024-09-25 | MC Last Updated | 03/29/2024 02:11:20 | 2024-09-24T20:00:51Z |
| 2024-09-25 | MC Messages | In 2023, Microsoft Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows released new flexible working hours that allowed users to set different working hours and location (office/remote) for individual workdays. Users could update their daily work location in the calendar and see their coworkers' work location in the scheduling assistant. We will soon roll out these additional updates:
Updated daily location menu to help users plan their day and see who else is in the office Integrating your work location with your Out of Office time This message refers to MC553273 (Updated) Outlook on the web - Work Hours and Location (May 2023) and is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 383721. [When this will happen] Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late March 2024 and expect to complete by late April 2024. General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late March 2024 and expect to complete by late May 2024. General Availability (GCC, GCC High, and DoD): We will begin rolling out early May 2024 and expect to complete by late August 2024. | Updated September 24, 2024: We have updated the rollout timeline below for GCC High and DoD. We apologize for the delay and will provide an updated timing when available. Thank you for your patience.
In 2023, Microsoft Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows released new flexible working hours that allowed users to set different working hours and location (office/remote) for individual workdays. Users could update their daily work location in the calendar and see their coworkers' work location in the scheduling assistant. We will soon roll out these additional updates: Updated daily location menu to help users plan their day and see who else is in the office Integrating your work location with your Out of Office time This message refers to MC553273 (Updated) Outlook on the web - Work Hours and Location (May 2023) and is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 383721. [When this will happen] Outlook on the web and new Outlook for Windows Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out late March 2024 and expect to complete by late April 2024. Complete General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out late March 2024 and expect to complete by late May 2024. Complete General Availability (GCC): We will begin rolling out early May 2024 and expect to complete by late June 2024. Complete General Availability (GCC High, and DoD): We will begin rolling out in early 2025. (We will provide an update once the schedule is set) |
| 2024-09-25 | MC Title | New Microsoft Outlook for Windows and web: Improvements to working hours and location | (Updated) New Microsoft Outlook for Windows and web: Improvements to working hours and location |
| 2024-09-25 | MC End Time | 10/04/2024 09:00:00 | 2025-05-05T09:00:00Z |
Last updated 2 months ago
