Remote & hybrid working: Making it work for you

Remote or hybrid working is now the norm for many industries. But it doesn’t suit every company or even every role. The fact is, making remote or hybrid work for both the company and the employee is no easy feat. It takes careful planning and mutual trust.

Software development and HR are two areas where remote and hybrid roles can work to everyone’s advantage. We spoke to four Proshore team members with very different experiences of remote and hybrid working to get their thoughts and insights.   

What’s your experience of remote or hybrid working?

Anjana: I’ve been working at Proshore as a PHP developer for 8 years now. Since Covid-19 and becoming a new mum, I’ve worked from home. It’s been helpful to have a flexible workplace, and it’s been easier for me to give time to my daughter as well. 

Krishma: I’ve worked in HR and operations at Proshore for 2 years. With an administrative role, it’s important to be in the office and always stay in touch. Last April, I had the chance to travel abroad, see family, and spend a month in Europe, whilst working remotely. I used to do half my shift in the early morning, then complete the rest of my hours around my day. It really helped me make the most of my trip, and I didn’t miss out on anything.

Praveen: I’m a frontend developer, currently for mobile applications, and I’ve been in a hybrid role at Proshore for three years now – since lockdown. I also have my own company. As part of my other role, I do a lot of travel around Nepal. Hybrid working gives me the flexibility to work from almost anywhere. 

Binaya: I’m a QA automation engineer for Proshore, implementing automated testing scripts on various projects. Proshore is located in the Netherlands and Nepal, and I work remotely from India. 

What do you most enjoy about working remotely?

Anjana: I just bring my laptop, and I can get my work done from anywhere! It enables me to spend time with my daughter during the daytime and do my work at night. 

Krishma: So the best part of remote working for me is that it doesn’t bind you to a desk for 8 hours straight. It also helps with unforeseen circumstances. Let’s say, I’ve injured my ankle. Due to remote or hybrid working policies and Proshore’s supportive infrastructure, it becomes easy as a status update to rest my ankle at home and work at the same time.

Praveen: I’ve been working remotely for so long that going to the office is like a vacation for me! Working from home or elsewhere remotely, I can be more focused. Because we tend to have one or two sprints planned ahead, I know what’s coming up, and I can plan my schedule around it. 

Binaya: Working remotely means I can make time to continue my own learning around testing scripts. That includes reading other people’s blogs and writing my own. 

What are the challenges? How do you overcome them?

Anjana: My in-laws are always asking me what kind of job I do. I’m often in meetings. They think it’s easy. But I’m also a mother and a wife! My husband also supports me if I ever have a problem with a task because he’s in the IT field as well. 

Krishma: Initially, I thought the difference in timezone would be a problem. In the end, it was the best part because the mornings in Europe overlap with the afternoons in Nepal. So I always worked during those hours, so I could connect with my team and still attend meetings.

Praveen: Wi-Fi and electricity! In some of the places I travel, it can be hard to find these things. Thankfully, my laptop has 18 hours of battery life. Traveling and working is not something you can do every day. Remote working can sometimes be a double-edged sword. The line between my personal life and office life can be blurred. I can see friends or family during the day, but it means working late into the evening. You have to know when to start work and when to stop.

Binaya: Always be open to learning new things. In an office, there is usually one person with the technical knowledge you need to overcome a particular challenge. Working remotely, I often have to rely on my own resources and the internet to overcome issues. 

What advice would you give new remote workers?

Anjana: You need to plan your time according to what your sprint goal is. You have to achieve that! At the same time, you need to figure out how to get a balance between your work and your personal life. 

Krishma: I definitely agree with Anjana. It’s all about balance. Remote working is great because it gives you time and flexibility. But living and working in one space can sometimes make you feel disconnected. So my advice is to enjoy the benefits of remote work, but don’t forget that sometimes you need to shut down the laptop and connect with people as well.

Praveen: Don’t work from bed! When you’re used to working from bed, it makes it hard to fall asleep on time. Even if you’re working from home, work at a desk. Create good habits. Also, drink enough water to keep your body and brain hydrated, and make sure you take a break once in a while. Take a walk or talk to someone. Look after your mental and physical health!  

Binaya: Keep in regular contact with your team. It’s quick and easy to communicate using messaging apps like Slack and Telegram.

How does Proshore support remote and hybrid working?

Anjana: Proshore provided us with workstations in our homes – desks, and chairs that make working from home easier. We’ve also been given water bottles, and we receive gifts on special occasions, like Proshore’s anniversary. The company cares about us and makes us feel part of the team. It’s like a family. 

Krishma: Proshore is a very people-focused organization. It gives people the flexibility to work from wherever they want, however, they want – as long as the work is done. There’s confidence that we will carry out our responsibilities. People are trusted no matter where they are in the world or what they’re doing. That trust in people really shows. We might be dispersed all over the country, but Proshore binds us all together.   

Praveen: The top thing that Proshore does really well is flexibility. It’s something that adds so much value to your life, like being paid well, having friends and family that love you, and having work that is really fulfilling. Flexibility is a small word, but it has so much value. 

Binaya: Proshore trusts me to get my work done properly. They’ve also helped me to get set up with the right equipment at home.