“Work from Anywhere at Anytime” (WFA) was introduced in September 2020.
In this “WFA Special” series, we offer insights into solving the challenges of working remotely by sharing some practices our colleagues have adopted. Click here to read the past articles.
This time, we are joined by Ayako, who lives in Kagawa Prefecture.
Here are some of the highlights and challenges she has encountered since she joined the company using the WFA system, along with some photos of the locale!
Ayako Fujimoto
HR
As a departmental HRBP for all divisions, my mission is to bring out the best from the organization and the people within. To achieve this mission, I propose and implement HR measures to improve organizational needs and conduct HR interviews with employees.
So you are from Hyogo Prefecture and currently live in Kagawa Prefecture.
Yes, I’m originally from Kawanishi City, Hyogo. I’ve lived around Tokyo and Osaka, most recently in Kobe, for several years. I moved to Kagawa Prefecture when I was transferred to my current department.
Why did you decide to move to Kagawa?
I’ve always preferred a countryside atmosphere to an urban one, and I wanted to live in a more rural town than the city where I was born and raised in. In September 2021, I was transferred from the Kobe-based sales team to my current department (HRBP), so I took it as an occasion to move in with my partner, with whom I had lived apart till then.
I think work tends to be a significant factor that stands in the way of someone moving, but I could move without any worries, thanks to PayPay’s WFA program.
How is remote work, really?
The best thing is being able to maximize my time. Being able to allocate the portion of time spent on travel to work itself and the input required for the job is a significant advantage.
What are some of the challenges of working fully remote?
I feel like it takes more time to break the ice and build trust with a newcomer to the company or the department. There is only so much information we can gather from someone when communicating remotely compared to talking face-to-face. With that said, I believe it can be remedied by simply being more aware. For instance, we try to create opportunities to get to know each other better through monthly team-building sessions and chatting at weekly meetings.
Please let us know if there is anything you are careful about because you are fully remote!
I try to keep my schedule visible to the team and share what my day would look like every morning so that people won’t have to wonder things like, “She might have too much on her plate right now to go over some stuff” or “Oh what is she working on?” We also actively communicate over the Slack huddle and use team task management tools to visualize our work. Even when I’m unsure what the other person might be up to, I try not to hesitate and shoot a message like “Spare me a moment when you’re free,” and try to be proactive in contacting others.
Are there any tools or features that you use most often?
We make good use of the Slack huddle feature! My team has a habit of gathering in the huddle when no meetings are scheduled. We’ve recreated the same closeness of working in person by creating an online space where we can quickly drop in to ask questions or chat to have a change of pace while each of us works on our task.
Please send a message to those in rural areas considering applying to work at PayPay.
The biggest obstacle in moving to a rural area would be work, but PayPay has a brilliant system that helps overcome such hiccups. The ability to work, do what you want, and live the life of your dreams will significantly improve your overall quality of life!
In my case, moving from a downtown residence to a quieter, calmer environment has dramatically improved my learning and sleeping environment.
What are your favorite spots in Kagawa?
Ritsurin Park:
It’s a former zoo turned into a garden. I can sense the changing seasons from the plants and the sounds of the insects, making me feel calm. I stroll around this garden when I need to ponder on something. You can also do yoga here on holiday mornings.
Busshozan Onsen:
There is an onsen over 40 degrees celsius and an open-air bath that feels like a slightly warm pool. It’s the goldilocks-perfect temperature that is right between lukewarm and cold. It feels so lovely that you’d want to stay in forever, and the scent of the hinoki wood in the bathtub is extra soothing.
Setoshirube (Takamatsu Port Tamamo Breakwater Lighthouse):
It is the most delightful place where you can take a walk while feeling the fresh sea breeze on your face. In the morning, you can see the morning sun illuminating the waterfront, and the lighthouse and the ships’ light create a gorgeous atmosphere at night.
【Editor’s note】
What did you think of “WFA x Life in Kagawa”? I was particularly impressed by how Ayako tries to bring the team together by making it easy to talk to each other online. We have lots of colleagues who moved out of major metropolitan cities, just like Ayako did. I hope this article inspires you to imagine yourself working at PayPay!
Thanks to: Ayako Fujimoto / Author & Editor: Kona (PayPay Inside-Out Editorial Team) / Translator: Philline / Translation Editor: Justin
*Employees’ affiliations are as of the time of the interview.
