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If there isn’t an IRC, Slack, or other instant messaging system in place, that should be the first step. Without that, I cannot imagine how remote work would a

If there isn’t an IRC, Slack, or other instant messaging system in place, that should be the first step. Without that, I cannot imagine how remote work would actually… work. From there, start being proactive about asking questions or starting conversations. Do not wait for others to reach out. You must initiate. That is a huge part of remote culture. If you are initiating on instant messaging and not generating feedback or conversation, then you have a much bigger problem.

bluefirebrand 5y ago
There is a Slack, of course. I've found people quite slow to reply so far. Expecting a new hire to initiate is pretty unrealistic imo. Even in an office, leaders should be encouraging employees to reach out to the new hire and make that connection. In person new hires would be getting a team lunch of some kind at most companies I've ever worked at, some kind of scheduled time to meet and interact with people. I don't see why remote should be different really. Onboarding should be a hands on process for the whole team to participate in, remote or not. So, yes. I am kind of wondering if this is a bigger problem or if once I have stuff to work on things will improve.
- voakbasda 5y ago
  Remote and office work are not the same in my experience. Your expectations need adjustment, if only because they conflict with the reality that you have observed. Moreover, senior roles absolutely require you to initiate. If you are in a junior role, proactive behavior will help you advance past those who wait for things to come to them. In general terms, initiating is an active behavior, while expecting others to initiate is passive. If you want “hands on” from others, tell those hands that you need their engagement. In general, I strongly advise against passive behavior, unless you want your career driven by the good graces of others.
- ekanes 5y ago
  The problem at your new company isn’t to do with location, it’s that for whatever reason, their culture is terrible. There are zero scenarios where a good-culture company doesn’t very effectively welcome new people into a team.

bluefirebrand 5y ago

There is a Slack, of course. I've found people quite slow to reply so far. Expecting a new hire to initiate is pretty unrealistic imo. Even in an office, leaders should be encouraging employees to reach out to the new hire and make that connection. In person new hires would be getting a team lunch of some kind at most companies I've ever worked at, some kind of scheduled time to meet and interact with people. I don't see why remote should be different really. Onboarding should be a hands on process for the whole team to participate in, remote or not. So, yes. I am kind of wondering if this is a bigger problem or if once I have stuff to work on things will improve.

voakbasda 5y ago
Remote and office work are not the same in my experience. Your expectations need adjustment, if only because they conflict with the reality that you have observed. Moreover, senior roles absolutely require you to initiate. If you are in a junior role, proactive behavior will help you advance past those who wait for things to come to them. In general terms, initiating is an active behavior, while expecting others to initiate is passive. If you want “hands on” from others, tell those hands that you need their engagement. In general, I strongly advise against passive behavior, unless you want your career driven by the good graces of others.
ekanes 5y ago
The problem at your new company isn’t to do with location, it’s that for whatever reason, their culture is terrible. There are zero scenarios where a good-culture company doesn’t very effectively welcome new people into a team.