The document outlines guidelines for remote work at Palo Alto Software, emphasizing the importance of office collaboration while supporting the option to work remotely. It details requirements for remote work, such as having proper tools, internet access, and setting boundaries, while also advising on maintaining communication and productivity. Additionally, it specifies situations where remote work is not applicable and encourages employees to ensure their managers approve remote arrangements.

1. Remote Work
Guidelines

2. WHAT IS WORK?
“Work is a thing you do, not a
place you go.”

3. WHY DO WE WORK IN AN OFFICE?
We strongly believe that time
in the office fosters better
collaboration, better teamwork,
and faster iteration of ideas.

4. BUT...
We also understand that sometimes
you need to (or want to) work away
from the office. We want to support
remote work as much as possible.

5. This policy should
help you have a
productive remote
work experience.

6. Managing a remote team?
Read our 13 tips and resources to
help your team be productive,
collaborative, and happy.
Read the guide »

7. But first...
Of course, any remote work must be
cleared with your manager.
And, there are three important things
that this is list is NOT applicable to:

8. 1. Working from home waiting for the
cable guy or a mattress delivery.
That all happens under your usual
flexible work arrangement.
3 THINGS THIS POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO:

9. 2. Going somewhere you’ve never gone before.
We’ll call this “working from Borneo.” We’re not
against Borneo, mind you. Just don’t commit to
getting any work done. You don’t know what the
available work environment is going to be like and
remote work might not even be possible.
3 THINGS THIS POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO:

10. 3. “Working” while you’re sick.
Let’s all be real: if you’re sick, you’re not productive
and it’s better for everyone if you just stay home and
rest, drink plenty of fluids, see a doctor if needed, and
come back to work when ready.
3 THINGS THIS POLICY DOES NOT APPLY TO:

11. Permanent remote work
While working remote permanently is rare at Palo Alto Software, if you are
working remotely permanently, then this list should work for you as well,
although your manager may have specific additional requirements for you.

12. 9 Requirements for Remote Work
1. A computer to work on that is
suitable for your work tasks.
Duh.

13. 9 Requirements for Remote Work
2. “Approval” from your manager.
We’re not big on bureaucracy, but this is common
courtesy. Start by talking to your team manager.

14. 9 Requirements for Remote Work
3. An internet connection capable of easily
handling a Slack call.
Slack calls may take the place of conversations in the hallway and standups in someone’s
office. Downstream is usually not the issue. Most basic internet plans are at least 5 mbps down,
which is no problem. Video conference usually means more that 1 mbps up. A lot of cheap
internet service only offers 1 mbps up.

15. 9 Requirements for Remote Work
4. Access to the resources you need to work.
Make sure you can:
a. Log in to your laptop as a local administrator without connecting to the Palo Alto Software
network. This is especially true for Mac users, as Macs do not cache your credentials.
b. Connect to the VPN from your location. Not all Internet connections, or routers, are created
equal and not all will allow you to get on the standard VPN.
c. Access all code repositories and other services that you need to get your job done.
d. If you’re unsure about any of this, talk to IT before you discover you can’t work remotely.

16. 9 Requirements for Remote Work
5. A headset or earbuds with a good mic.
The built-in speakers and microphone on your laptop/monitor suck.
The added friction makes your team members not want to invite you
to a Slack call, which means you miss communications.

17. 9 Requirements for Remote Work
6. A dedicated room with a door that closes.
Your family may need clarity about how accessible you are.
You need a place that is as distraction-free as your normal
work environment, and maybe a little more.

18. 9 Requirements for Remote Work
7. No childcare responsibilities during work hours.
Both need your full attention.
Talk to your manager about flexible hours, if helpful.

19. 9 Requirements for Remote Work
8. Set standard hours and make sure
people know them.
Over-communicate this to your team by posting in
Slack (ex: “Going to the gym for an hour”).
Work sustained sessions with only a few significant interruptions
(e.g., lunch, dog walking, gym, a light-saber fight with your nephew).

20. 9 Requirements for Remote Work
9. A dedicated phone that fits into your position’s
workflow, where applicable.
If you are an employee who spends a reasonable amount of time
on the phone, it should be relatively easy for people to get you
on the phone and for you to call them.
This might require you to contact the IT department for phone
forwarding, or to be sure Dialpad is set up and working on your laptop.

21. 5 Suggestions
When you’re used to working in the office and you leave it, you’re like a snail
without a shell. Consider these five suggestions a temporary exoskeleton.
This doesn’t mean we don’t trust you. We do.
To get the desired effect, we often accentuate parts of our behavior that don’t
come naturally. We might be on camera, forcing ourselves to oversmile like
idiots. Most of these tips are to encourage unnatural but beneficial behaviors.

22. Don’t be coy

23. This covers your mental state
You might be tempted to downplay your absence from HQ.
Puritan work ethic runs deep with some. Don’t be embarrassed to talk
about what you’re getting done, or be put on the defensive by someone
saying “Great beach weather?” Ignore it, ship code, write copy, make calls,
and be great at your job. This is the main reason we have a policy.
If you’ve met the requirements above, you’re covered.
You are not slacking. You are working.
1. DON’T BE COY

24. Over-communicate

25. Provide status updates
Change your Slack status and/or put a note on your monitor saying where
you are and for how long, in case people wander by looking for you.
2. OVER-COMMUNICATE

26. Have boundaries

27. When you’re on, you’re on
People around you might not understand that, yes,
you will actually be working. Don’t worry. Your in-laws/parents will be
impressed by your work ethic!
3. HAVE BOUNDARIES

28. Over-deliver

29. Go ahead and crow
In-person ways of staying involved are not available to you. You still have
ways to communicate. You’re a PAS employee, so chances are you’re a
low-key person who doesn’t crow about achievements. You can flip that
bit for remote work.
4. OVER-DELIVER

30. Have a deliverable

31. Assert your productivity…
by producing
This frees you from having to assert your productivity via chattiness or
sharing a podcast to prove you’re thinking about work. Mark tasks as
done, share your Google docs, post your recent project’s performance
analysis—it all shows you get shit done.
5. HAVE A DELIVERABLE

32. Thank you for being
part of our team!

33. Managing a remote team?
Read our 13 tips and resources to
help your team be productive,
collaborative, and happy.
Read the guide »