Hey,
As the current Covid-19 outbreak is being handled differently across the world, I am just wondering how testers have been affected, and how they have adapted to changes in working conditions etc.
Any advice welcome!
Thanks
Beth
Hey,
As the current Covid-19 outbreak is being handled differently across the world, I am just wondering how testers have been affected, and how they have adapted to changes in working conditions etc.
Any advice welcome!
Thanks
Beth
It depends on the company structure and culture. I work for a small tech company (30 people) and we went fully remote a few days ago until further notice. We’re not used to remote work (as a company) so it might take some adjustments, but overall I don’t think it’s bad. Might even challenge some of our processes and expose things that can be improved.
My previous two jobs were remote so I got used to it pretty fast, and I also brought home some of the mobile devices from our device lab that I will need for upcoming testing tasks.
What I miss the most is walking to the office and back each day, it was a nice recreational activity. And also lunch that we have there, now I have to cook for myself.
Thanks Milos - what country do you work in?
Serbia. We currently only have 46 confirmed Covid-19 cases, but things are starting to heat up. I expect that number will grow up exponentially over the next two weeks.
Hi Beth,
The key point is really if your employer trusts you to do your work while not being watched. I have heard US companies install monitoring tools on remote work, companies enforcing SLA on how fast you can pick up the phone etc (these are warning signs!). On the other end there are companies where the changes is less dramatic, as most meetings are skype/teams/zoom anyways and all systems are accessible via vpn. My manager said that I could bring home any IT equipment necessary and even expense a decent headset. not bad.
Use your calendar to schedule work slots, set up a “WFH” mode/rutine and read up on best practices for online meetings and you will make it fine. It’s mostly a mindset change for all to work from home.
Working from home is something I do pretty regularly due to being my wife’s carer, and I raise this at interview in any new job as critical to me. Fortunately, more and more employers are coming to realise that getting the job done on time is far more important than someone occupying a seat in an office between nine and five. If employers trust us, the workforce, then we will get on and do the work; it should be pretty obvious when someone is abusing this, though I’ll say all the people I’ve known to abuse WFH were middle or senior management, which says something about their output…
I ended up working from home pretty much all the time last autumn after an accident left me with a badly twisted ankle. It was fortunate that on the day of the accident, I’d been working from home due to taking my wife for a routine doctor’s appointment so as a result, I carried on working for the next fortnight from home rather than signing off sick, which had I not had my work laptop at home is what would have happened until I was physically able to get into the office.
Yes, face-to-face contact is my first preference for communication, but when you’ve got a team in split locations like I currently do then comms and meetings need to take place over the internet anyway.
I’ll also share this linkedin post from a colleague:https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6643827142947856384/
I work in DC and my company went fully remote at the end of last week. I have been on and off remote for a while now so no huge impact on me, but for many in my company, it’s an adjustment. The idea of keeping meetings mostly related to the agenda and business isn’t there as much as people want to spend some time chatting and checking in on each other, which I like.
The biggest impact for me personally is with schools and daycare being closed in my area, my 4-year-old is home for 2 weeks and play dates and libraries are not an option. This means me working in shifts to take him outside and keep him occupied.
Hope everyone else is doing alright!
We’re accustomed to working remote (some of the teams are office based in the UK, but others are home-based or off-shore). Scrums are always on-line as every team has at least one member at a different location) and we use camera option on Teams or Skype as much as possible as face-to-face is important. We also make sure discussions are not just about work to ensure everyone gets the social aspect of working as part of a team. Those who are office based have always taken their laptops home, I’m now asking for headsets to go as well. If we go full remote we’ll also be taking screens, keyboards, docking stations etc.
I’ve worked from home for the past 17 years and I’ve found it all comes down to establishing a working day. Clock on in the morning, work, clock off at night. Work to a daily schedule then switch off.
Also, if you’ve never worked from home before, the secret to not going stir crazy is acceptance. Chill out, work methodically, take breaks, and be kind to yourself. It’s not forever; just until this virus gets the message. Eat the chocolate biscuit.