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If you're remote, ramble

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Re: If you're remote, ramble

#121

Post by sublinear »

echo42null wrote: post #63
dakiol wrote: post #54

In my experience, these kind of channels end up being filled with complaints about the company/processes/managers/c-levels… (ofc, managers are not invited to these private channels) Like, if the ceo said something very stupid in the last All Hands, well, you use the ramble channel to talk about it. Sometimes this works (you feel like you’re not the only one that thinks X), but it could easily go south.

Good point. You do need to create an environment where people feel safe to talk about anything, But it shouldn’t just become an endless complaint loop about the company. I’ve seen this dynamic too: once people start venting, the channel can spiral. I sometimes wonder how to steer that energy into something constructive. Maybe it helps to let people express uncertainty or frustration before decisions are final, and to…

You can't "steer" people like that. Good fences make good neighbors.

Re: If you're remote, ramble

#122

Post by prmoustache »

makeitdouble wrote: post #45
codesnik wrote: post #40

I've tried to create or revive a watercooler channel in every remote company I've worked in last 10 years. For some reason it usually doesn't work. Some people don't needed it, some people just call each other and vent out privately. I miss watercooler talk.

TBH one of the best part of watercooler talk was the limited range (only the people who're there) and no trace of the exchange (all verbal) We also tried scheduled casual talks with the whole team, but didn't have more success than you. I think the closest we get was the small talk before meetings start, but as we're starting to get auto-transcript for all our meetings that also became very bland.

At my work place we have a meeting on friday afternoon. It was initially a meeting dedicated to quick knowledge transfer or helping out a member of a team who needs help on a particular topic but is also used to chit chat a bit before wishing everyone a nice weekend. We don't do transcript nor recording of these.

Re: If you're remote, ramble

#123

Post by nip »

We do something similar that we call « Office a la Zoom »:

Two times a week, the weekly standup is extended by an hour, from 15min to 1h15.

People are welcome to jump in and out of that open zoom that acts as a water cooler corner: any topic goes, from work to personal hobbies, etc

We’re fully remote (US / EMEA / APAC)

Re: If you're remote, ramble

#124

Post by [deleted] »

layer8 wrote: post #94
elric wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> There’s also the formal/legal aspect that the work-related topics can count as work time whereas the private ones doesn’t. So when you're at the office, you never have a chat about a non-work topic at the coffee maker?

This is formally/legally a work break that you’re not allowed to count as work time. If I have a half-hour conversation about a non-work topic, which I sometimes do, it means I’ll need to work half an hour more. At the office it’s effectively at everyone’s discretion how exactly they count it, but on a chat platform it can in principle be tracked if someone spends substantial time on #offtopic.

[deleted]

Re: If you're remote, ramble

#125

Post by doubled112 »

bagacrap wrote: post #101
kmarc wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Indeed, I, as a fully remote, probably overworked person, sometimes wonder if I'm a loser just because I never * pick up Becky from school * feel under the weather today so I'll be offline and "take it easy" (never hear about me anymore today) * sorry "traffic jam" (10:00am) * sorry "train canceled" * will leave a bit early (2pm) for [insert random reason] appointment While all these can be completely valid reasons,…

I do tend to be a bit suspicious of the one-day "under the weather" events. However I do think we need to make extra room for parents (I am not one, yet). I'm going to need a doctor who's younger than me when I'm 80+ Folks could always just disappear instead of announcing these things, but is that better? And as a senior on my team, I over announce certain stuff to let the other team members know that WLB is ok.

I get migraines that can disappear as fast as they hit me. Can’t see, can’t feel my face and sometimes a limb, can’t focus or form sentences.

I could pretend to be available that day, maybe, but it’s mutually beneficial for me to just take a day off.

The next day I’m usually just fine, and I don’t always give more explanation than “taking a sick day”.

Re: If you're remote, ramble

#126

Post by ThePowerOfFuet »

layer8 wrote: post #94
elric wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> There’s also the formal/legal aspect that the work-related topics can count as work time whereas the private ones doesn’t. So when you're at the office, you never have a chat about a non-work topic at the coffee maker?

This is formally/legally a work break that you’re not allowed to count as work time. If I have a half-hour conversation about a non-work topic, which I sometimes do, it means I’ll need to work half an hour more. At the office it’s effectively at everyone’s discretion how exactly they count it, but on a chat platform it can in principle be tracked if someone spends substantial time on #offtopic.

What a terrible situation in which to find oneself.

Re: If you're remote, ramble

#129

Post by lttlrck »

hkon wrote: post #109

So, if you're remote, why not just talk to your real friends on discord or whatever? I think this whole "we are all a family" trope that companies push has pretty much been seen through by remote workers.

Right. Not everybody wants, needs or has these interactions even in-person.

This stuff needs to happen organically to be meaningful. Templates don't work.

It's like starting a chess club that everyone has to join.

Re: If you're remote, ramble

#130

Post by sgt »

bagacrap wrote: post #101
kmarc wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Indeed, I, as a fully remote, probably overworked person, sometimes wonder if I'm a loser just because I never * pick up Becky from school * feel under the weather today so I'll be offline and "take it easy" (never hear about me anymore today) * sorry "traffic jam" (10:00am) * sorry "train canceled" * will leave a bit early (2pm) for [insert random reason] appointment While all these can be completely valid reasons,…

I do tend to be a bit suspicious of the one-day "under the weather" events. However I do think we need to make extra room for parents (I am not one, yet). I'm going to need a doctor who's younger than me when I'm 80+ Folks could always just disappear instead of announcing these things, but is that better? And as a senior on my team, I over announce certain stuff to let the other team members know that WLB is ok.

If someone you work with and you otherwise trust e.g. with your code, servers, and business, says they are feeling under the weather, why should you not assume they are not telling the truth?
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