Out of Office

Below is a collection of every Out of Office article by The Information.
Illustration: Mike Sullivan
Out of Office

How to Start a New Job During a Pandemic

By Laura Mandaro · Jul 10, 2020 10:16am PDT
As Twilio’s new head of human resources, Christy Lake normally would have spent her first few weeks on the job talking, lunching and generally hanging out with many of the San Francisco tech company’s 3,000 employees. Instead, her early April start date reduced her schedule of in-person meetings to exactly none. “Usually,... As Twilio’s new head of human resources, Christy Lake normally would have spent her first...
Art by Mike Sullivan
Out of Office

Humor Has a Place at Work, Even During a Pandemic

By Candace Jackson · Jun 26, 2020 10:45am PDT · 1 comment
Recently, I gave a toast at a friend’s birthday party. I’d prepared a brief speech and peppered it with touching memories and hilarious anecdotes from our decadeslong friendship. The response? Total silence. As far as I could tell, I had bombed. Because it’s 2020, the “party” was on Zoom. Although there were dozens... Recently, I gave a toast at a friend’s birthday party. I’d prepared a brief speech...
Art by Mike Sullivan
Out of Office

How to Find a New Job During the Pandemic

By Laura Mandaro · Jun 12, 2020 7:01am PDT
In just under six weeks this spring, Alexandra Garner was laid off, looked for a job, landed a new offer and started a position at e-commerce startup Fast, all while rarely leaving home. “I never thought I’d find my dream job in the middle of a pandemic,” said Garner, who had been working as a sales representative at... In just under six weeks this spring, Alexandra Garner was laid off, looked for a job, landed a...
Mike Sullivan
It’s a Stressful Time. Here’s How to Stay Focused at Work
By Emily Dreyfuss · May 29, 2020 7:00am PDT · 1 comment
Mike Sullivan
Out of Office

It’s a Stressful Time. Here’s How to Stay Focused at Work

By Emily Dreyfuss · May 29, 2020 7:00am PDT · 1 comment
It is hard to concentrate in the middle of a pandemic. Even for people fortunate enough to be employed and working in a safe environment, distractions—painful, ceaseless—are everywhere. “It’s just harder to do anything when you’re stressed out, worrying the world's going to end,” said Jaime Teevan,... It is hard to concentrate in the middle of a pandemic. Even for people fortunate enough to be...
Mike Sullivan
Out of Office

Your Corporate Event Has Gone Virtual. Here’s How to Make It Work

By Jessica Toonkel · May 15, 2020 7:02am PDT · 3 comments
When Pamela Jacques started revamping her employer’s annual spring conference in Florida into an online event, she realized that speakers were going to need quality audiovisual equipment to make their presentations given from home seem polished. Jacques, who runs corporate marketing for Netscout, a Boston-area information technology... When Pamela Jacques started revamping her employer’s annual spring conference in Florida...
Art by Mike Sullivan
Out of Office

Discovering Your Spouse’s Annoying Work Personality

By Kevin McLaughlin · May 1, 2020 7:02am PDT · 1 comment
The age-old question “How was your day?” seems laughably unnecessary at a time when many people are spending their days in close proximity at home, well aware of how their partner’s day has been going. For the millions of people who have been able to bring their office jobs home during the coronavirus lockdown, the switch is... The age-old question “How was your day?” seems laughably unnecessary at a time when...
Illustration by Mike Sullivan
Out of Office

How to Zoom Like a CEO

By Nick Wingfield · Apr 17, 2020 7:01am PDT · 5 comments
This column kicks off a new The Information feature called Out of Office. Every other Friday, we’ll bring you advice from the pros on how to improve your work life, wherever your office might be.Matt Mullenweg has become the patron saint of working from home. He started letting employees of his company, Automattic, do their jobs remotely... This column kicks off a new The Information feature called Out of Office. Every other Friday,...