What's the Work-Life Balance Like at HERE Technologies?

What does flexibility in the workplace look like for you? 

COVID changed perceptions of workplace flexibility, but not entirely. Remote work existed pre-COVID, especially in the tech industry, attracting candidates with its flexibility and lack of commute. It appealed to me too — working from a comfortable environment sounded ideal. However, during lockdown, I discovered I needed in-person interactions to thrive at work. Connecting, bouncing ideas, gaining perspectives, and solving problems efficiently all felt more natural face-to-face. Online meetings just couldn’t replace the spontaneity and dynamics of office discussions.

Though I still value the convenience of working from home, I now prefer the office. I’ve adjusted my company’s two days in office and three days at home schedule to spend four days in the office, using Fridays for winding down and catching up on admin tasks. Office time allows me to engage directly with colleagues, including those from other departments, fostering collaboration and connection beyond the digital realm.

Additionally, our company’s remote work policy — allowing temporary work from other countries — offers flexibility to adapt to life's challenges and support loved ones or simply change the scenery for a while.

Why is flexibility an important element of your company’s culture? 

Like many tech companies, HERE operates in a constantly evolving landscape. The rapid advancement of AI and the challenges of mapping a changing world demand that our teams balance time for connection with time for focused work. For many engineers, focus time is vital and directly enhances their productivity. This balance also requires self-discipline, clear communication, and a strong task-tracking system to maintain visibility of deliverables and manage expectations effectively.

A blend of office and remote work is essential to fostering a healthy environment where teams can connect, create and deliver. In my own projects, this flexibility has been highly beneficial. I schedule solutioning workshops for office days to leverage the dynamics of face-to-face interactions, while allowing the team to set their own home days. This approach not only supports individual productivity but also ensures that communication remains seamless and outputs are delivered efficiently.

What tools or meeting structures ensure that a flexible work setup works for everyone? 

Like many companies, we rely on standardized communication, collaboration and project tracking tools to maintain a consistent platform, which isn’t a bad thing. That said, we strive to make the experience enjoyable. Our discussions are typically informal, with numerous chat groups — some of which aren't work-related. My personal favorite is the rugby chat, where we follow matches and exchange playful banter among international team supporters. We even have "secret" chat rooms solely for venting about the quirks of certain software tools.

Successfully managing a globally distributed workforce, however, requires more than just tools and processes. Trust, enjoyment, and understanding are critical components. Teams must negotiate time zones and find optimal setups for strong connections and collaboration. While this process often involves some trial and error, an open mindset about what works and what doesn’t, enables teams to quickly find their rhythm and achieve outstanding results.