While working remotely may be a perfect fit for some, for People Generalist Amanda Wolf, at least one day a week in the office is essential for career satisfaction.
Most of the week, the DoubleDown Interactive office — nestled within Seattle’s lively Chinatown-International District — is closed for remote work. On Tuesdays, employees commute into the office and enjoy a change of pace from their remote environment, as well as amenities like lunch from local favorite restaurants and, most importantly, the chance to build a stronger connection with their colleagues.
These rare moments of in-person interaction are well worth the commute for Wolf, who understands the importance of professional relationships in her work in human resources.
Building relationships with coworkers in the office, even once per week like the DoubleDown Interactive team, can have multiple benefits to employee experience. Core elements of an employee’s weekly work experience, like company culture and collaboration, can feel starkly different when comparing remote and in-person offices.
Like Wolf’s purposeful connection to her in-person relationships with her colleagues, working in an office can also engender a greater sense of purpose in an employee’s work. The office analytics and research company Gallup has noted that purpose is the primary driving force behind employee engagement, helping employees feel more connected about their work and optimistic about their career development.
Built In Seattle sat down with Wolf to learn more about the DoubleDown Interactive office, the key amenities she loves most and what benefits she takes away from working in the office weekly.
DoubleDown Interactive LLC is a mobile gaming company with a focus on casino games and new, casual mobile gaming experiences.
Tell us about DoubleDown Interactive’s office space and the frequency your team uses it.
We mostly all come in every Tuesday and work from home the rest of the week. I really enjoy our location in the Chinatown International District because I like getting out of my apartment and I love the vibrant neighborhood.
I either work at my desk, which faces out onto a courtyard, or in a conference room for collaborative meetings or one-on-ones. I’m also prone to walk around the office, saying ‘hi’ to people, or chatting in the breakroom. Coffee, a well-stocked fridge and snacks bring me there often.
What types of amenities does DoubleDown Interactive offer for in-office work? Do you have a personal favorite?
The space is set up with lots of amenities, and some are just inherent to our location. My favorites are complimentary 20-minute massages, snacks and beverages always available, thoughtful meals often from small and local businesses, a 3-minute walk to Uwajimaya and being right at the light rail and train station.
Compared to working remotely, how would you say working in the office has benefitted the way you work?
Being a people generalist, I feel that it is very important for me to connect with our employees and be approachable. Seeing people once a week has helped me build positive relationships and personalize how I help our staff.
“Seeing people once a week has helped me build positive relationships and personalize how I help our staff.”
Our experience team provides ways to interact with coworkers at lunches or by opening tabs in the neighborhood where we usually run into each other or go together. They also plan cross-team activities like step challenges and “coffee buddies” where we are paired up and can check out the local coffee shops. I especially love that we have Hood Famous, a Filipino coffee shop and bakery, right across the street — it’s such a beautiful location. These activities are great for connecting with each other and building rapport.
