The Challenges of Remote Work

Wed Feb 22 2023

Remote Work

Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37 Signals, have been working remotely for over 20 years.
Time zones are a challenge when it comes to scheduling meetings and collaborating with new employees.
Pairing up a designer and programmer in different time zones requires careful consideration of their experience levels.
Four hours of overlap is the sweet spot for collaboration between remote workers.
Remote work has its limitations, such as the need for overlapping work hours and avoiding graveyard shifts.
Remote work does not mean hiring from anywhere in the world; there still needs to be overlap.
Remote work requires overlap and synchronous communication.
Offshoring is not remote work, it's throwing work over the wall to save money.
37 Signals pays remote workers the same as San Francisco-based employees.
Meetups are more expensive than office space, but they're worth it and recharge human batteries.
Fully remote work without any in-person interaction is not sustainable for humans.
Real-time communication should be used sparingly in remote work; asynchronous communication is preferred.
Remote work is a different platform that requires a different approach, not just installing Slack and Zoom.
Hybrid models of some people in the office and some working remotely have their own challenges.

A hybrid model with 75% in-house and 25% remote is difficult because there will be bias towards those who are local.
To make a hybrid model work, everyone should have the opportunity to come into the office.

Remote work allows companies to hire the best talent regardless of location.
Some people prefer working in an office, and it's okay for companies to choose to be in-person.
The human population is about 75% extroverts and 25% introverts, but at 37 signals, it's likely the opposite.
75% of the human population are extroverts, while 25% are introverts.
There should be companies that cater to people who enjoy working from home or remotely.
It is difficult for big companies to transition back to in-person work because some employees prefer remote work.
Some people will never go back to the office and would rather quit than do so.
Busting the myth that remote work is impossible has opened up many options for companies and individuals.
Startups can now be funded and founded in other places besides San Francisco.