Our company runs like a family. During the pandemic, we have allowed our team to work remotely, but we still run Zoom calls and happy hours to stay connected. During these unprecedented times, we've done virtual birthdays, anniversaries, and baby showers. We still maintain "open door" policies. No one is just a number. Efforts are recognized daily, and we celebrate each person's progression.

We are constantly working to improve the life of everyone we touch. Our leaders are truly invested in our employees and empower them in all aspects of life, both professionally and personally. To alleviate stress, we pay for every employee to have a subscription to Headspace. Our leaders encourage rest, self-care, and mindfulness in the workplace and at home. We hold wellness challenges that encourage employees to get active and online webinars so employees can learn how to process emotions in a healthy way. These efforts show our employees that their wellness, self-care, and general happiness are our priorities.

We foster an inclusive, collaborative culture. Every employee has a say in what kind of culture they want. One area where we reflect our unique culture is in our hiring practices. New hires interview or spend significant time with various people in our organization for approval from their peers. When everyone has a voice, the result is a thriving, productive workforce that we're proud to celebrate.

A 100 percent remote company, we work hard to build and support a unique, fun, and collaborative culture. We are proud to have built a team that exemplifies a supportive culture with a no-job-too-small mentality, and employees from the top down all display a willingness to roll up their sleeves to help one another solve tough challenges. Our social committee organizes events ranging from photo contests to Zoom hangouts, and our employee newsletter celebrates company accomplishments while highlighting the unique characteristics of each department.

As the world's largest all-remote company, GitLab has blazed a trail for other businesses adapting to remote work during the pandemic and has advised more than 50 organizations on how to maintain a sense of culture, connection, and collaboration. We expect every employee to be a leader, no matter their job title or seniority. Our people managers help guide employees with career development, but each individual has the autonomy to determine their daily schedule, where to work, and their time off. We care about the results of our employees' work, not when or where they're doing it.