What's the Work-Life Balance Like at Zoro?

What does flexibility in the workplace look like for you? 

Flexibility at work starts with recognizing that employees are people first — with unique needs, responsibilities and preferences. At Zoro, this people-first mindset is deeply ingrained in both how we lead and the policies we uphold.

When I onboard a new team member, I make it a priority to understand how they work best — whether that means scheduling around childcare pickups, setting aside quiet focus time, or adjusting to communication preferences. These conversations build trust and lay the foundation for a supportive, flexible working relationship.

Zoro’s hybrid work policy empowers teams to decide when in-person collaboration makes sense while still honoring personal obligations like family needs or appointments. Leaders actively encourage the use of paid time off and model this by taking time off themselves, reinforcing that rest and balance are valued.

Sometimes life throws curveballs — a sick kid, a family emergency, a last-minute appointment. In those moments, the priority is just making sure people feel supported. Managers step in, teammates help each other out and we figure it out together.

Why is flexibility an important element of your company’s culture?

Last year, I got an unexpected — but life-changing — phone call. My husband and I had been selected as adoptive parents and needed to travel right away to meet the baby. I messaged my manager with the news and his immediate response was genuine excitement — he reassured me that everything at work would be taken care of.

As I left to start my paternity leave, I didn’t feel stressed about what I was leaving behind. There was time later to sort out the details, but in that moment, I knew my team and my leader had my back. Zoro’s adoption assistance program and parental leave policy gave me the support I needed on paper — but it was the people and the culture that made it possible to be fully present for one of the most important moments of my life.

What tools or meeting structures ensure that a flexible work setup works for everyone?

Zoro’s office is designed for hybrid collaboration, with every meeting room equipped for seamless video conferencing so remote and in-person team members can fully participate. When people are onsite, there are plenty of ways to connect casually — over coffee, ping-pong, or even Mario Kart.

That same spirit of inclusion shows up in our bi-weekly company meeting. It’s a chance to hear about great work across the org and anyone can volunteer to host by sharing a bit about their life. In-office employees gather over breakfast to watch on a large screen while remote attendees join virtually. Questions come from Slack and the room and emoji reactions light up the screen as people celebrate wins or laugh together.

It’s a great example of how thoughtful tools and intentional design bring people together — no matter where they’re working from.