Working in a flexible, supportive environment can make all the difference when it comes to job satisfaction, daily productivity, and overall career growth. According to a recent survey, employees say that a positive work-life balance and flexible hours are two of the most important conditions that allow them to thrive in the workplace.
Because of this, companies that have stellar paid time off and flexible hybrid work policies are becoming increasingly sought after. These businesses recognize the importance of creating an environment that allows employees to balance their life and work commitments without sacrificing either.
And Austin-based tech company data.world is leading the charge in building a workplace that does just that.
To learn more about what data.world does to help their employees maintain a healthy work-life balance, JobSage spoke with Mary Chapman, Manager of Talent and Employee Experience at the company.
Creating positive work-life balance at data.world
As a Public Benefit Corporation and certified B-Corp, data.world seeks to make a positive impact by creating the most meaningful, collaborative, and abundant data resource in the world. The company helps everyone— not just “data people”— get clear, accurate, and fast answers to any business question or problem. With a mission to do good for the world, it only made sense that the company would start by creating a positive workplace culture for their employees.
“We are a company with a conscience,” Chapman says. “It shows every day in the way we treat our employees.”
One way they accomplish this is through their flexible hybrid work policies and discretionary paid time off.
Over thirty percent of the employees at data.world are located outside of the company’s homebase of Austin, Texas, meaning that the company has gotten good at communication and collaboration— no matter where their employees are located. Local employees can come to work in person if they prefer, but it isn’t required.
“Slack channels, Zoom meetings, and other communication tools are a part of our culture, so no one ever assumes you’ll be in the office unless you’ve said so,” Chapman explains.
data.world also offers discretionary paid time off, which allows employees to take time away from the office. This open time off policy encourages people to take the time they need for everything from vacations to mental health days to picking up their kids without the worry of using up a limited bank of PTO.
Flexibility in action
Some companies claim to offer open PTO, but employees find it hard to actually take time off. At data.world, it’s a perk that is lived out every day by everyone at the company.
“We model it from the top,” Chapman explains. “Our C-level folks take time off to spend with their family, go on vacation, and work from home.”
When executives and managers are eager to take advantage of their flexibility, it gives all employees the peace of mind that they can too.
“Our policies are intended to give people the flexibility to do their best work on their time,” Chapman says. “We all have important jobs to do, and the deliverables are the important part— not how many or which hours you spend at your desk or in the office.”
And the impact of data.world’s policies can be felt by all, from new hires to those who have been with the company from the start. Employees note that their team is incredibly supportive when it comes to absences, whether it’s planned or unplanned, and that they can trust their coworkers to continue to get work done while stepping away. It’s also not unusual for managers to encourage employees to take more time away to rest the mind and body.
Even as data.world continues to grow and hire more employees, maintaining the same flexible culture will still be a top priority.
Other perks at data.world
Open vacation and flexible work hours are not the only benefits that data.world has to encourage employees to find balance between their work and personal life.
The company offers a wellness and enrichment bonus that can be used on anything employees consider to fall under the category, as well as a stipend for new employees to help them set up their home office. This is all on top of other benefits like top-tier health, dental, and vision insurance, stock options, and individual legal insurance for all employees.
“We are a collaborative company that strives to take care of each other and help each other succeed,” Chapman says. “These benefits help us feel connected with the mission and with one another.”
Explore data.world
With flexible work options and discretionary time off, data.world is setting the standard for other companies to follow when it comes to providing a positive work-life balance for its employees. Offering these benefits can have dramatic positive impacts on employee morale, productivity, and overall job satisfaction, setting the stage for long-term success and growth.
Learn more about data.world
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