Editor’s Note:
In an unprecedented turn of events, our onsite employees moved to fully remote work as of March 12 – a change that is being echoed across organizations throughout the country and around the world. We moved offsite to keep each other and our communities safe, however, it has also stirred up a lot of conversation surrounding the concept of remote work.
Anyone that tells you remote work is “easy” isn’t giving you the full picture. The reality is that it’s sometimes hard, messy, and it can be isolating. We know you’ve probably read countless articles telling you how to stay productive. However, we feel that it is more useful to hear the truth from people who are in the same situation. So instead, we asked our employees to take a critical look at the highs and lows of remote work and give us their honest feedback.
Regardless of whether a ‘Keeter has been remote for four weeks or four years, working from home during a global pandemic presents its own unique challenges. There is enormous strength in communicating your struggles through times of adversity.
Check out the interview below to hear from the mouth of our employees on challenges, tips, resources, and more during this period of widespread remote work.
Q1. How have recent events changed your perspective on work, remote work, and company culture in general?
Gab K., Sr. Project Manager (Onsite):
“Prior to the self-isolation protocol, working remotely had a completely different energy. I would be able to go see friends or workout at my local gym to feel a sense of community. Since Terakeet has fully become remote, I’ve set up a daily morning meeting over Zoom noted as the “Watercooler.” This is for anyone who would like to jump in and have their morning coffee and chat before their day starts …I believe it is still important to maintain these office rituals even if through a screen.”
Brett Butler, Technical SEO Training Manager (Onsite):
“Work: One thing has changed really. The things that need to get done today will still get done, but I’ve become more okay with those items getting done at non-traditional hours of the day. I have a young family and we’re all trying to figure out what works.
Remote Work: We have a growing remote workforce at Terakeet and I’ve worked very closely with these individuals over the past couple of years. After just one week of 100% remote work, it has opened my eyes to the challenges that my remote colleagues have, without a doubt, encountered.
Company Culture: When there’s an office we’re at every day, a company’s culture is mostly self-sustaining. With everyone 100% remote, company culture becomes something that we all have to consciously focus on. I’ve been on some quick virtual meetings catching up with a deskmate, a team member, etc. Short little meetings, or Slack messages, help keep the culture alive.”
Farah Souissi, SEO Analyst (Remote):
“The company’s culture has definitely changed a little bit since we are all adjusting to the new work environment. The good thing is that I feel people are more available through slack and meetings are easy to set since we don’t need to book rooms anymore. However, the biggest change for me has been with my 3-year-old kid around and it’s sometimes challenging to get work done during the afternoon (mornings are easy) or to be able to speak during client meetings like the picture below.”
Caitie Lyden, Technical SEO Manager (Remote):
“I am fortunate to work in a state that was proactive with implementing a Stay-at-Home order to help control the spread of COVID-19. The impact of that order, however, has left family and friends without work for the time being while we see this through. Talking with them has made me truly appreciate the fact that I have the ability to continue working and help pass this time by staying preoccupied.
When it comes to times like these, transparency and support instilled within company culture are the two most important things a business can offer its employees. Knowing where you stand within the company and having that sense of trust has made me feel that I can focus on the day-to-day operations. Being supportive and mindful of one another’s situations at home is also important. Things like offering help when you have that free hour without meetings, taking the few seconds to say thank you or letting someone know you appreciate their efforts on a project should be instilled in everyone’s everyday communication, with or without a pandemic happening.”
Q2. What is one thing you’ve done to help ease your transition into remote work? Remote employees, What’s one tip you’d give your fellow ‘Keeters?
Collin Kohberger, Outreach Training Manager (Onsite):
“Honestly, establishing a specific schedule between myself and my daughter. The two of us, she’s 11, very much need schedules to stick by or we just get lost in the chaos. Once I had her school schedule down, I could then build my work schedule around that. She does math from 9:00 A.M. to 10-10:30 A.M. so I know that is a quiet time where I can focus. Lunch is 12 P.M. sharp and we do that together. It’s a great way to make sure we stay on task and stay connected.”
Carissa Hebert, Digital Outreach Specialist (Onsite):
“I knew right away that the temptation to lounge around in pajamas all day would be all too real and that I needed to find ways to facilitate a feeling of normalcy. So I decided to mimic my typical work routine creatively. I set up makeshift office space with a desk and added a tiny plant — similar to the one I have in our Terakeet office — and some gel pens (my one must-have item). I also wanted to recreate my morning Starbucks run, so I learned to make my own iced coffee at home!”
Blake Teeple, Sr. SEO Analyst (Remote):
“There are several things in the office that get people up and moving (meetings, coffee breaks, lunches, etc.) and you lose a lot of that while being remote. It’s very easy to get zoned in and not realize that you’re picking up unhealthy habits. I try to get up and move at least once per hour for a few minutes and that’s either to go get more coffee, get some water, or see my kids.”
Jonathan Zupanic, SEO Analyst (Remote):
“I think [communication is] the biggest thing to remember if you’re working from home for the first time and there’s another person there. For example, my wife is a stay-at-home mom so she has a much harder job than me with our two kids under the age of three. When I first started working at Terakeet we had to really communicate on what my schedule was [and what I could take on at home].”
Rachel Collins, Recruiter (Remote):
“The adjustment from working onsite to remotely is definitely tough. I’ve been working remotely for almost a year now, I know that the first few weeks are hard. For me, a routine really helps me to combat the monotony of not leaving the house, especially now when it isn’t really an option to go to a coffee shop to break up the day. I try to wake up early and do something for myself that makes me happy, like [making] a French press coffee, cooking breakfast, or a workout that gets my body moving. I also find getting ready for the day in an outfit I would wear to the office (or at least in public) helps maintain productivity and maintain a sense of normalcy by changing out of sweats.”
Q3. What is one thing you’re excited about doing?
Rakesh Patel, Sr. Operations Analyst (Onsite):
“One of my kids is in preschool and her birthday is coming up in April. She was looking forward to having a celebration with her classmates where they sing and dance. She understands that isn’t going to happen anymore. While [she’s] sad, she is really taking it well. I am really excited to surprise her on her birthday with a Zoom video call with all of her classmates and teachers that she misses so much. I think she will really get a kick out of it.”
Carissa Hebert, Digital Outreach Specialist (Onsite):
“Like everyone else, I’m trying to find the positive in all of this. The best way I’ve been able to do so is to use this extra time I’ve been given to do things I’ve put on the back burner. I have countless books I’ve been itching to read but never made the time for before. Now, I’m halfway through my pile of books! I’ve also made it a point to learn a new skill, so I’ve been teaching myself calligraphy!”
Beth King, Account Director (Onsite):
“I am overjoyed to be present for the garden to start blooming and to watch our Magnolia tree blossom this year! It’s always short-lived but it’s beautiful to see and I am excited to be ‘home’ for it in 2020.”
Jonathan Zupanic, SEO analyst (Remote):
“I think the biggest thing is just being able to take a break and use that time to go hang out with [my] wife and kids … that was the biggest reason why I chose to work from home.[This job allows] me to have breakfast [with my kids]. So cherish [these] moments because [they] are always so fleeting.
Q4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced? What do you do to overcome those challenges?
Brett Butler, Technical SEO Training Manager (Onsite):
“We’re juggling being parents at the same time as being teachers, spouses, and employees. This is, without a doubt, the most difficult challenge that we’ve had to face thus far. I’ll let you know once we overcome this particular challenge.”
Rakesh Patel, Sr. Operations Analyst (Onsite):
“Constant paranoia. I know the proof of my worth is in the work that I do. In the timeliness, quality, and creativity of it. Deep down I know it. But there is a little part of me that always worries about being caught ‘not working.’ In the office, you can see me at my desk or in a meeting Working from home though? There isn’t that same [visual cue]. If I reply to someone in 10 minutes vs. the four seconds I normally would, I feel so paranoid that I would be thought of as not working even though I might have been on a call or in the middle of debugging a crazy formula. Terakeet has done a great job of helping me overcome these challenges. Knowing I am not the only employee that feels this way has helped me keep my sanity. We are all very open and honest with each other and many have shared the same unwarranted, paranoid views.”
Ryan Brady, SEO Analyst (Remote):
“One of the biggest challenges I have faced is separating [my] work and home life. A lot of times I find myself working extra long hours simply because my office is right here, or [I’m] answering emails late at night. While getting extra work done is good, and sometimes necessary, it’s important to have separation between the two. When I owned my own businesses I often found myself working 24/7 and always thinking about work. While that is part of being an entrepreneur and growing your business, it is still very important to have a balance so you don’t burn out.”
Rachel Collins, Recruiter (Remote):
“As someone that is accustomed to remote work, I have found it more difficult to focus on the daily grind during these times of stress and uncertainty. For me, it has been beneficial to limit my media consumption to short periods of reading reputable news articles to stay informed, give myself grace when I find my mind wandering, and remember that we’re all in this together.”
Q5. Do you have any resources for others?
Gab K., Sr. Project Manager (Onsite):
“Podcasts I listen to: NPR The Daily from the NYT & NPR Up First . However, I try not to listen if it’s been nothing but pandemic [coverage] for multiple episodes.
My main reads are: Refinery29 Money Diaries, Girlboss, Manrepeller, FastCompany, and Wired.
If you need a show that will take your mind off of 2020, try “Westworld.” Since Season 3 has just started on HBO, I highly recommend this sci-fi show and would love to discuss the craziness that has happened in the past three episodes!
Lastly, my ultimate guilty pleasure is “90-Day Fiance.” This is one the best reality shows, and the best part is you don’t need to catch up because every season introduces new couples and you’ll have to see it to believe some of these stories!”
Collin Kohberger, Outreach Training Manager (Onsite):
“For those with kids out there, lean on your schools. They have so many resources posted online that directly sync with the kids’ lessons from school, so check their websites and … you’ll find a lot. Also, YouTube! Type in whatever you are looking for and you’ll find dozens, if not hundreds, of great lessons for kids.”
Carissa Hebert, Digital Outreach Specialist (Onsite):
“I highly suggest checking out The Mighty. They’re offering support through this challenging time with a full schedule of online social distancing events, mood check-ins, tips, and medical advice — and, more importantly, distractions when you need a break from it all.
Oh, and memes. Memes can almost always guarantee a good chuckle when you need it most.”
Caitie Lyden, Technical SEO Manager (Remote):
“Spotify playlists that are built out to cater to whatever mood you’re in whether it’s getting in the zone for a project to focus [on], or wanting to laugh. Listening to comedy playlists have been very helpful to me.
Headspace is an app I strongly recommend to anyone interested in meditation and practicing mindfulness. This is a great way to learn to stay calm during stressful times.
TED Talks have always been a resource I enjoy referencing on a variety of topics, but especially can be helpful to others looking to improve their productivity or organization. “
We know this is a tough situation, but we’re so impressed with the way our employees are handling their daily challenges and continuing to forge the strong bonds with one another that make up the Terakeet culture. We are in this together.
Additional note: Hero image is supplied by Carissa Hebert, Digital Outreach Specialist (Onsite).