“Work from Anywhere at Anytime“(WFA) program was introduced over a year ago. In this “WFA Special” series, we offer insights into solving the challenges of working remotely by sharing some practices our colleagues have adopted.
Today we are pleased to introduce Takuya, who lives in Shiga Prefecture.
Here are some of the highlights and challenges he has encountered since he joined the company using the WFA system, along with some photos of the locale!
Takuya Ishibashi
Human Resources Department
I work in the Payroll Team of the Human Resources Department, organizing business processes, supporting foreign employees, calculating payroll, as well as working on several other projects.
You have been living in Shiga before you joined the company?
Before joining PayPay, I was working for a company in Osaka and had to endure a total two-hours plus commute every day.
During the stay-at-home period due to COVID-19, I was able to spend more time with my family. It made me reconsider the way I used my time, which I took for granted until then.
At that time, I got the chance to join PayPay, so I utilized the WFA system.
How is remote work, really?
I can spend much more time with my family. One reason is that I no longer have to commute, but the biggest factor is that I drastically changed the way I use my time thanks to the super flex working hours and fully remote work system.
I really appreciate that I’m able to drop off and pick up my kids, as well as go to the hospital! Of course, I owe this to the support of my team members. By having a more enriched private life, I’m able to focus more on my work.
What are you careful about with remote work?
I always pay attention to balancing my work time and time for rest. I wasn’t very good at keeping a steady balance before, so now I make a to-do list of daily commitments to program into myself the sense of continuity.
Having said that, priorities change from moment to moment. It could be work, my children’s health, or other factors, so I don’t go through daily routines. Instead, when I complete a task at any time of the day, I tick it off. This way, I don’t have to be too strict on myself and can maintain self-control.
It’s a simple method but it makes me more conscious of how I spend my time, and helps me refresh myself both physically and mentally!
What I feel about WFA
As I work remotely, I feel the importance of talking face to face more than ever. I believe that messages and signs that we interpret from facial expressions are essential elements for good communication. And above all, just being able to see the face enlivens the atmosphere. Although web conferencing has become the norm, I try to have face-to-face dialogues as much as possible with the members I work with, and especially with people I meet for the first time.
[Editor’s note]
How was “WFA X Life in Shiga”?
I could tell that Takuya is hard-working and cherishes his time with his family. I hope you will find this article helpful for your remote work.
Authored by Takuya Ishibashi/ Edited by Kona
* The information given is as of the time of the interview.
