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Welcome to the RubyConf AU 2020. For information like Twitter handles and details about our speakers, please visit the RubyConf website.
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If you want to connect with anyone or follow them on Twitter, make sure to check there. Now, I’m excited to introduce our next speaker, Liam McNally.
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Liam is the recruiting manager for engineering at GitLab and is based in Sydney. He has over ten years of experience in HR and talent acquisition, and for the last five years, he has specialized in the tech industry.
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Over the last three years, he has focused on scaling remote businesses. Besides his professional experience, Liam is a former sprinter and enjoys writing, CrossFit, and spending time in nature.
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Please welcome to the stage, Liam McNally!
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Good morning, everyone! I'm Liam, and as mentioned, I work at GitLab. I've been there for just over a year and a half.
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GitLab is a remote company with 1,200 employees located in over 65 different countries, making us one of the largest fully remote companies in the world.
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During my decade in the recruitment and HR space, I’ve spent the last three and a half years managing remote teams.
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As an avid traveler, I’ve visited over 50 countries in a short amount of time. Twenty of those visits occurred while working remotely, which is one of the reasons I personally love it.
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Today, I want to explore the pros and cons of being a remote employee. While there are numerous benefits, such as flexibility, there are also challenges to consider.
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One major advantage of remote work is flexibility. You can work from anywhere, choose your working hours, and structure your day according to your lifestyle.
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There’s no dress code, allowing you to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere. However, it is essential not to take this flexibility for granted.
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Establishing a routine can be beneficial; however, I sometimes struggle with taking a moment for myself.
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Flexibility can also vary significantly among remote companies. Some organizations require synchronous working hours based on specific time zones.
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It's crucial to assess whether you need that kind of environment. Ultimately, the flexibility of remote work allows you to live and work in a way that suits you.
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For instance, I have six nieces and nephews in the UK, and it’s important for me to visit them. Remote work enables me to spend long periods with my family without the usual constraints.
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Remote working tends to create a results-focused environment instead of a time-focused one. You're judged by what you achieve rather than the hours you put in.
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However, the challenge is ensuring that you still honor your working hours and take breaks when necessary to avoid burnout.
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Remote work allows you to travel while working. For example, I spent two months back in the UK recently, reconnecting with my family.
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Yet, challenges remain, especially regarding internet connectivity in certain regions, which can disrupt work.
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Another huge plus for remote work is not having to commute. I grew up in London and experienced rush-hour train delays, which I am happy to avoid now.
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Not commuting also benefits the environment, especially for those living in rural areas who often have to travel a significant distance to work.
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On the downside, working remotely can be lonely. I sometimes find myself longing for interaction with colleagues, which I think is common, especially among extroverts.
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Having a routine that includes social elements, like going to a co-working space or exercising with others, helps address this issue.
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It’s important to recognize the cons of remote work - solitude being one of them. If you're someone who thrives on daily interactions, remote work might pose some challenges.
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Another issue I face is decision-making across various time zones, which can hamper timely responses. Some decisions can take longer because I can’t simply reach out to a colleague next to me.
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Still, the abilities to bring in diverse cultural perspectives during decision-making help create well-rounded solutions.
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Onboarding new employees also presents its own set of challenges, mainly due to overwhelming amounts of information that must be documented.
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I find that the initial documentation process can be tedious, but having a written record becomes invaluable over time.
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Now, about scaling remote work: it's crucial to establish consistent processes, particularly for asynchronous communication.
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Creating an environment that prioritizes results over time worked is vital, allowing employees to operate flexibly while achieving outcomes.
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However, managing a team spread across different countries and time zones can be challenging; I personally manage a team located in eight countries.
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While there are challenges, I strongly believe in building rapport through dedicated video calls or in-person meetings when possible.
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At GitLab, we host an annual event called 'Contribute' which allows our team to meet and strengthen those important relationships.
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Documentation is also vital in remote work, ensuring that processes are clear and employees can quickly find the information they need.
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Specifically, organizations need to create accessible resources that answer questions instead of relying solely on in-person training.
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I recommend that companies look for effective ways to make information retrievable and easy to navigate.
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A well-organized collection of documents can foster efficiency and continuity, especially when employees leave or shift positions.
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The goal of remote work should be to foster equality and inclusion, ensuring everyone has equal access to opportunities for promotion or development.
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Cultivating a collaborative culture enhances team dynamics and can help avoid any feelings of being 'left out' that remote workers may experience.
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Recruiting in a remote environment allows for a more inclusive approach, helping to build teams that reflect diversity and promote varied perspectives.
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Diversity in employment is especially crucial in the tech sector, given its historical inequities in representation.
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Promoting a diverse workforce not only enriches company culture but also drives innovation and enhances problem-solving.
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Additionally, remote work can help reduce costs as companies no longer need to invest heavily in office spaces or facilities.
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This freed-up funding can be directed toward meaningful employee benefits that are customizable to individual needs.
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Offering tailored benefits highlights your commitment to nurturing diverse employee needs.
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Furthermore, by eliminating the need for commuting, businesses can significantly increase employee satisfaction and retention.
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Reduced commute times translate to increased time available for personal activities and better work-life balance.
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Ultimately, remote work contributes to increased productivity, as it often results in fewer distractions and maintains low meeting frequency.
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Individuals are happier in remote environments, leading to greater longevity with the company.
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In conclusion, while I appreciate and adore remote work, it’s critical for aspiring remote employees to weigh both pros and cons.
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Before making a decision, understand how remote work aligns with your lifestyle and professional aspirations.
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For organizations pondering this shift, evaluate what this means materially for your business and overall operations.
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The key lies in weighing the necessity of in-office presence against the potential benefits of flexible work arrangements.
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For further ideas and resources on remote working, please visit our remote guide available on the GitLab website.
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Thank you!
