Google Calendar has a great update for hybrid workers

Google Calendar Just Got Smarter: Effortlessly Track Multiple Work Locations in Your Hybrid Schedule

In today’s evolving work landscape, staying organized and connected across multiple locations is crucial. With hybrid and remote work becoming the new norm, managing where you are and when, can be a challenge for both employees and managers. Enter Google’s latest innovation: Google Calendar’s multiple work location tracking feature. This update empowers Google Workspace users to tag and share multiple work locations within a single day, making hybrid work schedules easier to coordinate and more transparent than ever.

If you use Google Workspace for business or education, this new location tracking enhancement can dramatically improve your daily workflow, communication, and team collaboration. Let’s dive into what this feature offers, who can access it, and how it benefits hybrid workers everywhere.

The Evolution of Google Calendar Location Sharing

Google introduced location sharing for Calendar back in 2021, marking a big step forward in workplace transparency and real-time updates. Since then, hybrid work has exploded in popularity, with many employees splitting their time between offices, home, and various client sites.

Recognizing this shift, Google has now turbocharged location sharing. Instead of tagging just one location per day, you can now tag multiple locations throughout your schedule—perfect for hybrid workers who move between several places.

This means your colleagues no longer have to guess where you might be or wait for updates, they see exactly where you’ll be at any point in your day, right inside Google Calendar.

How the Multiple Location Feature Works

Here’s how it plays out in practice:

  • When creating or editing an event in Google Calendar, you can add a work location tag to indicate where you’ll be physically present.
  • Instead of one location for the entire day, you can add different locations to different events or blocks of time.
  • These locations are then visible to colleagues who have access to your calendar within Google Workspace.
  • You can track multiple locations for a single day, such as “HQ office” in the morning, “Client site” in the afternoon, and “Home office” in the evening.

This granular location tracking fosters transparency and enables seamless coordination across distributed teams.

Who Can Use This Feature?

This exciting feature is currently exclusive to Google Workspace users on specific subscription plans, including:

  • Business Standard and Plus
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus
  • Teaching and Learning Upgrade
  • Nonprofits

If you’re using a personal Google account (like @gmail.com), this feature isn’t available yet, but Google may extend it to consumers down the line.

Privacy Control: You’re in the Driver’s Seat

Google Calendar location tracking is enabled by default for eligible accounts, but your privacy is paramount. You can easily toggle location sharing off if you prefer not to disclose your whereabouts. This flexibility ensures no pressure, just smart, optional transparency.

Why This Matters for Hybrid Work Schedules

Hybrid work isn’t just about flexibility; it’s about trust, communication, and efficient collaboration. Here’s why Google Calendar’s multiple location tracking is a game-changer:

1. Clear Visibility for Managers and Teams

Managers can quickly see who’s in the office, who’s remote, and who’s visiting clients. This improves scheduling decisions and resource planning.

2. Streamlined Collaboration

Team members know where colleagues are, making impromptu meetings and coordination smoother.

3. Improved Productivity

Knowing where everyone will be reduces friction and confusion, helping everyone focus on their tasks.

4. Reduced Miscommunication

Fewer “Where are you today?” messages and emails, saving time and preventing frustration.

5. Enhanced Safety and Compliance

For organizations tracking workplace occupancy or safety protocols, accurate location data helps maintain compliance with health guidelines.

How to Make the Most of Google Workspace with This Update

To fully unlock the power of Google Workspace tools like Google Calendar, especially with hybrid work in mind, consider these best practices:

  • Encourage Employees to Keep Calendars Updated: Encourage teams to actively update their locations daily for real-time clarity.
  • Integrate Location Data with Other Tools: Combine Calendar data with Google Meet or Chat to know when and where meetings happen.
  • Leverage Google Workspace Admin Controls: Use admin settings to manage location sharing policies that suit your organisation’s privacy and compliance needs.
  • Train Your Teams: Provide training sessions to help employees understand the benefits and privacy settings of location tracking.

The Bigger Picture: Google Workspace Productivity Boosts

This latest Google Calendar feature is just one piece of the broader Google Workspace strategy to boost productivity in a hybrid world. From AI-powered Gmail features to smarter Google Docs collaboration, Google is continually evolving its tools to meet modern work demands.

By staying on top of these updates, businesses can empower employees, streamline workflows, and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly flexible workplace environment.

Need Help Navigating Google Workspace for Hybrid Work?

If you’re ready to leverage Google Calendar’s new multiple location tracking feature or want to maximise your use of Google Workspace for hybrid work success, we’re here to help.

Our team offers expert advice, training, and support tailored to your organisation’s needs. Reach out today to unlock the full potential of Google’s powerful productivity tools and take your hybrid work strategy to the next level.

Conclusion

The future of work is hybrid—and Google Calendar just made it smarter. By enabling multiple work location tracking, Google helps teams stay connected, coordinated, and productive no matter where they’re working.

If your business or school is part of the Google Workspace family, now is the time to explore and adopt this feature. It’s a simple change that can bring clarity and efficiency to your hybrid schedules, helping everyone focus on what matters most: getting work done.