Question
How do I set up my Outlook calendar to indicate that I am working elsewhere/remotely?
Answer
BGSU's default work environment is on-campus; however, some employees may work remotely part-time or full-time. ITS recommends that staff working remotely set their calendar availability status to "Working Elsewhere" on the dates they are working off-campus. This provides insight when scheduling meetings to ensure the proper meeting format is available. For example, if a person's calendar is set to Working Elsewhere on a date/time that a meeting is scheduled, the meeting host should ensure a remote options such as Microsoft Teams or Zoom is available.
Follow the instructions below to set your Outlook calendar status to Working Elsewhere for the dates/times you will be working remotely:
Classic Outlook Desktop Application
- Open the Outlook desktop application.
- Select the Calendar icon from the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Select New Appointment from the options ribbon at the top of the calendar screen.
- Enter a Subject (optional) such as "Working Remotely".
- Enter the Date (select all day) or Date and Time for when you will be working remotely.
- If you have a regular/recurring remote work schedule:
- Select Recurrence from the Outlook ribbon.
- Enter the Start and End times for the days you will be working remotely.
- Select the Recurrence Pattern.
- For example, if you work remotely every Tuesday and Thursday, check the Tuesday and Thursday boxes.
- Select the Range of Recurrence for when you would like the recurrence to start and end.
- Select OK.
- Select Working Elsewhere from the Show As drop-down in the Outlook Ribbon.
- Select Save & Close.
New Outlook Desktop Application
- Open the Outlook desktop application.
- Select the Calendar icon from the left side of the screen.
- Select New Event from the options ribbon at the top of the calendar screen.
- Enter a Title (optional) such as "Working Remotely".
- Enter the Date (select all day) or Date and Time for when you will be working remotely.
- If you have a regular/recurring remote work schedule:
- Select Make Recurring from the Outlook ribbon.
- Enter the Start and End times for the days you will be working remotely.
- Select the Recurrence Pattern.
- For example, if you work remotely every Tuesday and Thursday, check the Tuesday and Thursday boxes.
- Select the Range of Recurrence for when you would like the recurrence to start and end.
- Select OK.
- Select Working Elsewhere from the Show As drop-down in the Outlook Ribbon (default is set to Busy).
- Select Save.
Outlook Web Application
- Navigate to mail.bgsu.edu.
- Select the Calendar icon from the left navigation menu.
- Select New Event from the top left corner of the Calendar screen.
- Enter a Title (optional) such as "Working Remotely".
- Enter the Date (all day) or Date and Time for when you will be working remotely.
- If you have a regular/recurring remote work schedule:
- Select the Repeat drop-down menu.
- Select the Repeat Pattern.
- If your repeat pattern is not listed:
- Select Custom.
- Enter the Start Date (the date for when you would like the recurrence to begin).
- Enter your custom repeat pattern.
- For example, if you work remotely every Tuesday and Thursday, select the Tuesday and Thursday bubbles and select Week from the drop-down menu above.
- Select an End Date.
- Select Save.
- From the Busy drop-down menu, select Working Elsewhere.
- Select Save.