Latest update October 28, 2024
This page is in constant evolution as we grow. We’ve been iterating on it a couple of times already; you can find the previous pages at the bottom of this one if you’re curious, or some kind of startup history expert
What it’s all about
- As a distributed team of 20+ employees, currently across Europe but maybe tomorrow across the world, we are innovators not only in terms of the product we build but also regarding HR policies and practices. We have a particular approach to rituals as a team.
- You’ll find below all that you need to know about each of them :
why they exist, what they consist of, and what you can do to make the most of it.
Team rituals at a glance
(click on any of them to directly go to their detailed version)
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🌐 9-day
fortnight
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🏡 Company offsite
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🚌 Department
gatherings
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📣 OKRs - Q&A updates
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🏄 Remote Week
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🏫 Coworking /
Visit the HQ
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Team rituals in details
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🌐 The 9 day-fortnight
- What is it
- You work 5 days a week on some weeks and 4 days a week every other week
- Days off are either on Wednesdays or Fridays (you can switch only at the beginning of quarters, with your team/manager's approval)
- In August, we practice the 4 days workweek every week
- Applicable to all employees past 2 months of onboarding
- Why did we set it up
- We are forward thinkers and believe in this new work/life balance
- We tested the 4-day workweek at the end of 2022 and figured out it wasn’t the best organization at our current stage
- What’s expected from you
- We are not expecting you to add 8 hours over the 9 other days, but your productivity should remain the same as if we were working full time, so…
- …Be curious about the topic, look for your own pace, find the right balance, and organize yourself
- Be aware that it’s not common, and an outstanding perk
- Don’t forget to check the Factorial calendar to know which weeks are 4 day workweek (red dots in your calendar are days off)
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🏡 Company Offsite
- What is it
- A 3-day team gathering, happening twice a year (2025: February and September)
- Consists of mixing workshops and activities & chill together
- Why did we set it up
- We know from experience that racing head down can sometimes feel lonely and intense
- Particularly as a remote team spread across Europe and a no-meeting org
- These longer times spent together, without emergencies, are highly valuable for team cohesion
- What’s expected from you
- Be aware of our calendar, and make sure to free up your agenda for those events
- Try to go out of your comfort zone (native language, your department) and go discover other team members; they don’t bite and are awesome (so we’ve been told!)
- Double down on this time to cross points of view or ideas on work & life!
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🚌 Department Gatherings
- What is it
- Gather with your close team once a year
- Getting together as a department to enhance collaboration
- In a location that’s the easiest to gather all the department team members
- In a budget of 600€ per person
- And get to know your department co-workers better
- Why did we set it up
- As we’re distributed, and teams grow quickly, a department moment is important
- Making sure everyone is aligned on company and individual goals
- What’s expected from you
- Managers are owners of the initiative, but anyone can support them in the organization
- You’ll have all day to work together, and the remaining time for bonding and activities
- Ask if you need help
- Be curious, and propose topics to address that you know can improve collaboration
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🏄 Remote week
- What is it
- One week for the whole company to get together, working in a nice environment, and taking advantage of off-hours to do cool activities and create memories
- Why did we set it up
- Despite our remote culture, we need to spend some time together to create links and improve further collaboration
- Let’s be honest, we love spending quality time together!
- What’s expected from you
- It’s a “business as usual” week, but take advantage of having your colleagues close by to plan for some working sessions together if you feel like it
- Follow the leader, we’ll organize everything, just play along!
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🏫 Coworking / Visit the HQ
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📣 OKRs Update & Team Q&As
- What is it
- 1-hour Q&A visio led by Virgile to address OKR progress and, well, Q&As
- In the past, we used to gather physically every other month, but it wasn’t optimal
- After hearing feedback, we decided to host a (more or less) monthly team moment
- Except when there’s an offsite or during summer’s lower activity
- Why did we set it up
- It’s both time and costs efficient (vs. a physical gathering)
- Allows everyone to have a clear vision of company goals and evolutions
- Create a sense of belonging, even via visio; it’s still great to have everyone connected simultaneously!
- What’s expected from you
- Take a moment to answer the pre-gathering form to ease the meeting
- Be on time, of course, and proactive if any question is left unanswered.
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