Remote, or not remote, that’s the question!

Most of the talents applying for positions in the gambling industry, such as online casinos and game developers, now anticipate working remotely for at least two days a week, with some desiring full remote work. This trend isn't new; it's a logical progression from the COVID era and has becomes the norm.

Companies like Google and American Express are embracing this trend, even allowing staff to work from their holiday destinations, a concept known as 'workation.' While data is limited, employee testimonials and corporate policies highlight the strong demand for such flexibility.

"Our summer working schedule is pretty intense, and it can get incredibly hot in Malta during the summer, so making remote work a natural and almost essential option here," confessed one employee, further noting, "Other companies have been implementing this for several years now." While it can boost productivity and offer relaxation, there are concerns about its impact on results.

Many companies have responded to employees wishes by offering so-called work from home options. For example, Google allows their employee to work temporarily from a location other than their main office for up to 4 weeks per year (with manager approval). The aim was to give everyone more flexibility around summer and holiday travel. And what about gambling?

This is one of the most advanced industries in terms of remote work and workcations. Most of the companies operating in the Maltese market promote hybrid or even fully remote jobs, while the situation on the Romanian market is different, with employees mainly offered the option to work from the office.

Among the pros of remote work is extended flexibility and a potentially very pleasant/convenient work environment. However, cons come with tax liabilities if an employee exceeds a certain amount of time in a particular location, insurance, corporate safety protocols, etc. Productivity remains the main concern, and many gambling companies see hybrid or remote work as a post-pandemic perk, they can offer to staff in a competitive labor market. This option arises from fraught negotiations on the future of offices between employees, who typically want more remote work, and bosses, who seek more of their physical presence.

‘I’m much more productive on Fridays when we work from home. It has been a transformative experience working in a quiet place away from the office where I am continuously bothered by colleagues sharing the office with me. They can be so annoying sometimes, speaking loudly or interrupting me while I’m concentrated on an important task...' – confesses an anonymous employee, while their colleague adds, ‘When we returned to the office after the pandemic, I was almost afraid to stay in such close proximity to my colleagues, who might not even cover their mouth and nose while sneezing…’. The social aspect of remote work seems to add a psychological complexity for some employees, and employers might need to take this into consideration and search for working solutions.

Another opinion comes from managers who may prefer seeing their peers in the office: ‘I realized that I get furious when I need to talk to one of my remote peers and they're not available for an unknown reason… they always find a nice excuse like an interruption in the internet connection or some other similar issue that I actually do not care about. At that moment, I strongly suspect that my peer simply isn't working!’ Surely, that’s not a rule for all bosses but rather depends on the manager's preferences, managerial style, and certainly company values and culture.

Finding the perfect recipe may demand meticulous research, and at Maxbet Online, we embrace this approach. We consistently gather employees' feedback and conduct industry analyses, striving for improvement and customized solutions that align with both employees' expectations and business requirements. This led us to introduce the 2+3 hybrid* work formula, enhancing flexibility for our employees starting this August. Yet, that's not all – we also offer unique benefits throughout the year, such as additional paid days for birthdays and more. Furthermore, we're unafraid to explore new avenues in our journey to establish Maxbet Online as the most sought-after employer in the industry. We understand we're not flawless, but we're steadfastly committed to finding our path forward and grow the Team on Another Level.

Nataliya Zagorodnova

HR & Employer Brand Manager

Maxbet Online

* The 2+3 hybrid formula entails employees working 2 days from home and 3 days from the office.