What Is Microsoft Places?
Microsoft Places is part of Microsoft 365’s push to make hybrid work more connected, efficient, and people-friendly. It helps you manage where you’re working, coordinate with teammates, and get smart suggestions about when to go into the office based on who else will be there.
And it starts with one simple step: setting your work location and schedule.
Why Set Your Schedule and Location?
Setting your schedule isn’t just about being organized—it helps your whole team:
Coordinate in-person time: See who’s in the office on what days and plan meetups accordingly.
Increase visibility: No more guessing where someone is working that day.
Encourage collaboration: Places shows you when coworkers you collaborate with are planning to be on-site.
Respect focus time: Knowing someone’s location helps others decide when (and how) to reach out.
How to Set Your Work Schedule in Microsoft Places
1. Open Outlook or Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Places is integrated right into Outlook and Teams, so you don’t need a separate app. Just open your calendar.
2. Find the “Work Hours & Location” Settings
In Outlook:
- Click on your calendar settings
- Look for the “Work hours and location” section
In Teams:
Go to Settings > Work hours and location
You can also select which office or working location from within Teams calendar on the day.
3. Customize Your Schedule
Set your standard working hours (like 9 AM–5 PM) and specify your location for each day:
- Office
- Remote
- Mobile
- Out of office
- Custom location (if your org allows)
You can plan ahead by setting your weekly schedule—or adjust on the fly if plans change.
4. Save and You’re Set
Once you save, your status and schedule will automatically show in Outlook and Teams, so your coworkers know where you’ll be and when you’re available.