Runpod Work-Life Balance & Wellbeing

How do leaders or managers at Runpod show that they prioritize employee well-being? What policies or perks are in place that allow you to take time off, pursue your passions or focus on your mental health?

We have a flexible, unlimited PTO policy that empowers us to recharge without guilt, supported by a culture of trust and accountability. Runpod has experimented with new initiatives, like piloting “Summer Fridays,” where we collectively logged off early every other week to make the most of the season. As a remote-first company, we also have the option to gather in regional offices, like Industrious in Seattle, that Runpod sponsors, giving us space to connect without enforcing an in-person mandate. Runpod invests directly in us, too: Every employee receives a $500 yearly stipend for education and training and $300 for health and wellness.

How has this impacted your life?

Early on, I was supported in taking time off for my wedding just months after joining, which allowed me to fully unplug and focus on celebrating with family. I’ve also used the education stipend to enroll in a visual thinking workshop, something not directly tied to programming but invaluable for my work as an engineer. Visual thinking helps me distill complex architectures into clear, shareable visuals, making it easier to process, understand and communicate ideas. Being encouraged to pursue something personally meaningful yet professionally relevant reinforced that Runpod values growth in all its forms, not just job-specific training.

What do these policies or actions say about Runpod and the company culture as a whole?

Runpod’s culture is built on valuing people as whole individuals, not just employees. One of the most unique parts of our culture is that we have a dedicated Culture Champion, Ty, whose role is to strengthen connection and creativity across the company. Each week, he curates a Spotify playlist featuring picks from different employees, giving everyone a chance to share a bit of themselves. Ty also happens to be a master at producing musical performances and has even worked on performances during our all-hands meetings featuring Zhen, our CEO, who’s been taking vocal lessons. It’s moments like these, where creativity and vulnerability are celebrated, that make Runpod’s culture feel authentic, connected and fun.