On the whole, the tech industry has embraced hybrid work setups and flexible scheduling, but these concepts are still fairly new to the widespread world of work and there are no set definitions for them. This can make it tricky for job seekers to compare opportunities, as a “hybrid” work setup may require two days in the office at one company and three days at another. Some companies may be more open to flexible scheduling at certain times of the day while others let their teams work asynchronously.
Even in the job descriptions that include this information, the most important aspect of it, the “why” behind the decision, may be left out. The why is important, as hybrid work and flexible schedules shouldn’t be arbitrary policies enacted to boost recruiting. Instead, they should increase work-life balance and productivity and make collaboration more meaningful.
Here we’re taking in-depth looks at the flexible work setups at two Chicago tech companies, Vivid Seats and Jellyvision. We spoke to employees at each company to learn how and why their respective hybrid and fully remote work setups were put into place along with the professional and personal benefits these flexible approaches to work have brought.
Vivid Seats is a ticket marketplace for sports, plays, concerts and more.
What are the details of Vivid Seats’ flexible/hybrid schedule, and what aspect do you enjoy most about it?
Vivid Seats uses a hybrid working model called “hybrid collaboration” that provides the flexibility to work from home while maximizing collaboration time in the office. As a 24/7 marketplace, our teams follow hybrid schedules that work best for the support that each unique team provides. As a product manager, I work closely with engineers, designers and other internal teams to deliver software that provides exceptional experiences for our customers.
My team and those I collaborate most closely with have the same designated in-office days: currently Tuesdays and Wednesdays and we typically use 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as our core collaboration hours. Tuesdays are a big hit each week with in-person meetings, brainstorming and catered lunch. It’s a great way to take advantage of local restaurants while catching up with colleagues.
The flexible work environment and vacation policy has provided me the peace of mind to spend time with the people I care about most.”
How has a flexible schedule helped you maintain a better work-life balance?
Being able to work in a hybrid role has been great because I have access to the best of both worlds. On the days I work from home, I save time commuting and can use that time back to take care of life’s little chores, explore the city and, of course, have more time for live events! As someone who has worked fully in-office and fully remote in the past, I love having not only the option of workplaces but also flexibility within working hours.
While our teams typically have core working hours, we also embrace asynchronous work. This allows us to schedule a quick appointment or attend to a personal matter during the day then pop back online once we are done. We’ve dubbed these moments “life-happens-live.”
The flexible work environment and vacation policy has provided me the peace of mind to spend time with the people I care about most without worrying about a set amount of vacation time. I typically schedule family visits where I work for a portion of the trip and take off a few days during the rest of it. It has really made it easier for me to see loved ones, which I am thankful for.
What positive impacts has this flexible schedule had on your team and the ways you connect with others?
Having a flexible schedule and culture at Vivid Seats has increased the trust that our teams have with one another. We rely on each other to do our best work whether or not we are physically sitting next to one another. With each iteration of success, we feel more empowered to experiment with team norms that bring the most value to us and the business.
Vivid Seats just built a new HQ office in the historic Marshall Field building, which has really made coming into the office much more fun. Our new office includes state-of-the-art facilities and incorporates modern design and collective spaces. The designers did a great job of bringing our brand to life in the new space and incorporating the excitement of live events.
The office is full of natural light with oversized windows, and the collaborative workspaces are themed after the types of live events we list on our marketplace. Our meeting rooms even have their own unique Spotify playlists! We also have full access to an onsite gym, coffee shop, bar and rooftop, providing tons of options to recharge, collaborate or gain inspiration.
Companies use Jellyvision’s flagship ALEX software to make it easier for employees to navigate their perks and benefits package.
What are the details of Jellyvision’s flexible remote schedule, and what aspect do you enjoy most about it?
Jellyvision is fully remote so there are no required onsite days. We do have a main office location in Chicago that’s available to those who want to use it. Flexibility of work hours and asynchronous work are part of our culture. On my team we have folks working in different states and time zones, and we communicate needs and expectations based on that.
We have set aside time in the mornings when most of our team meetings take place, which leaves the afternoons open for heads-down work or things that don’t involve the whole team. I enjoy the ownership I get from all of this to manage my own schedule. When I go to the office, it’s great to see my team members in person, and when I am at home, it’s great to have the convenience and focus time.
Working remote and sometimes asynchronously has improved our communication skills.”
How has a flexible schedule helped you maintain a better work-life balance?
There are so many benefits! Because Jellyvision offers fully remote work, I’ve been able to spend more consistent quality time with my family by working from my parents’ house once a week. I get to spend time with them without having to fit it in between all the other things that need to fit in on the weekends. Another is not having to find care for my dog during the day and getting to take lunch walks with him. He is an adorable officemate and makes regular appearances in Zoom meetings.
What positive impacts has this flexible schedule had on your team and the ways you connect with others?
Working remote and sometimes async has improved our communication skills. We leave handoff notes on the work in progress so that it isn’t blocked by a specific person not being available. We are more intentional and deliberate about making time to connect since it is more difficult to do remote than in person. We have regularly scheduled Zoom time to take a 15-minute break and chat about things outside of work, and we have optional team in-person days organized by team members, which help us bond and work together better.
