Understanding Microsoft Scheduling Features

Instructions (Outlook Web Application)

*click on the image to zoom in*

Step 1:

Adjust Outlook Settings / Calendar / Work Hours and Location to reflect your typical schedule.

• Your default status will show as Available during these hours
• Your peers will also see whether you are currently Remote or in the Office

Step 2:

Set Outlook Settings / Account / Automatic replies whenever you plan to be away 

• Set an upcoming date and time away range before you leave
• Set Block my calendar for this period so that peers can see your custom away status in Outlook and Teams
• Set the following with caution, as it will be difficult to rejoin these meetings later if your plans change:
  • Automatically decline new invitations for events that occur during this period
  • Decline and cancel my meetings during the period
• Set a different reply message for ECU addresses inside vs. addresses outside of the organization

Step 3:

Make sure to RSVP /  Accept all meetings that you actually attend

• This ensures your status automatically changes to In a meeting or On a call
• Your status will return to its default once the meeting ends
• Be sure to also set your status for any personal calendar entries (e.g., set status to Busy when you schedule a block of focus time)

Step 4:

Adjust your work location and status in Microsoft Teams manually throughout the day, as required

• e.g., change status when on coffee break, change work location if your diverge from your normal work-from-home schedule
• this will override your default or meeting status
• set a Duration, after which time your status will revert to its default
• manually Reset status back to its default at any time