Remote Work At Ultimate Software
35%
Remote
5,000+
Team Members
Weston, FL
Headquarters
* As of February 2020
Ultimate Software Team
Ultimate Software Remote Company Q&A
Haley Sasser, Talent Acquisition Specialist - Interview with Remote.co
Did you switch to remote or start out that way?
We made the switch because one of my team members referred a friend to be hired on our team, and she happened to work in Orlando. We knew she was a rockstar, so it was worth it to make that change and hire a remote worker for our team.
How important is remote work to your business model?
Remote work is extremely important to our business model. In order to hire and retain the best talent, you must be willing to hire outside of your office locations.
What do you consider the biggest benefits of a remote workforce?
Our UltiPeeps are given the freedom to work on their own schedules and within the comforts of their home. Many positions require travel, which is also a benefit for those people who love to travel.
What were the main reasons to integrate remote work into your workforce?
To attract and retain talent, as well as serve our customers in particular areas.
What traits do you look for in candidates for a remote job?
If a candidate explains that they need a lot of direction and “hand holding,” then that is usually not the best candidate for a remote opportunity. It is also nice if they have worked remotely in the past.
Do you use third party testing or evaluation services when hiring remote workers?
Yes, we utilize HackerRank for our technical assessments, and also a background check service once the candidate is hired.
How do you conduct onboarding for remote workers?
Via Skype. We have a member of the onboarding team who is dedicated solely to remote employees.
Do your remote team members meet in person?
Every team is different, but at least quarterly.
What is the hardest part about managing a remote workforce?
One of the hardest things is making sure you have a good set of managers overseeing the remote employees, and making sure they are fully trained on how to manage remote employees.
How do you keep remote employees engaged and feeling part of the bigger picture?
We have a Best Remote Office award every year, as well as many team trips and meetings that we involve our remote employees in.
What is your time off policy for remote workers?
We have unlimited PTO for all exempt employees.
How did you implement a remote work policy?
Organically.
Can a remote-friendly company have a healthy culture?
Yes. As long as you trust your employees, have a constant flow of communication, and do not micromanage, you will have a healthy company culture.
What advice would you give to a team considering to go remote?
Trust your people, and it will work!
What are the most effective tools for remote team communication?
We utilize many different communication tools, such as Slack, Skype for Business, Sococo, and of course conference line/email. We also have conference rooms in all our offices fully equipped with video conferencing.
How does your team address different time zone challenges?
Everyone is respectful of everyone else’s time and situation. However, if there is an important meeting scheduled at a normal time in EST, but very early for our Pacific coasters, our Pacific coast employees will typically wake up early and be on the call.
What are the biggest benefits of being a remote worker?
You are able to have the freedom to work on your own time, and you also don’t have to deal with a commute!
What tips do you have to disconnect when working remotely?
Make sure to have a separate working space when working remotely so that you can shut down and walk away easily.