Ask HN: How do you adapt to all coworkers being offshore?

4 wonderwonder 4 6/4/2025, 1:23:49 PM
I work at a large company. When I first started, the team was primarily contractors both onshore and offshore. Approximately 85 people in total. While even the onshore were contractors, they were all long term and I was able to form relationships with them. A couple years ago they were all let go and I am the only onshore developer and everyone else (~50 people) is offshore.

This is not an attack on them, they are all good, very skilled people. Their time zone is just very different from mine so they are finishing when I start the day. In addition, they all work in office so have established groups. I work remote. I am the outsider who they just loop in when things go wrong or they need some help. Again no fault of their own, its just how it is.

So I find myself with essentially no one to talk to, work with or even chat with during the work day. This has greatly affected my satisfaction with my job and I find myself looking at even meetings with stress. Its bled into every aspect of my work and I just find myself not caring about it. I'm at the point where I likely need to get another job just for some sense of comradery. I still do my work well and am respected but I just don't want to be here anymore.

Is there a way to save this or just time to look for something else? The pay is good and I have good work life balance, its just not fulfilling in any way.

Comments (4)

duxup · 16h ago
Sounds like it's time for a new job where people are local to you.

I don't think there's any magic here, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with your working relationships. Just a personal preference that is understandable.

sherdil2022 · 13h ago
Talk to your manager and team - and meet them in-person once. Stay for couple days with the team and mingle with them and work with them. That goes a long way. Believe me. But you don't have to. Sometimes that in-person / facetime works.
wonderwonder · 9h ago
Would love to but they are in India and I am in the US. No one is going to pay for me to go to India. On a team of 60+ devs, I am the only one in the US
sherdil2022 · 5h ago
They try to have 1:1s with the team members. I have tried this and that is why I am mentioning to you. I have never met face-to-face many of whom I have worked with and collaborated effectively - and it started with having some kind of connection with them. I help those who are stuck or looking for help. I may not know the answer, but will help brainstorm. Or help with design or code review. Things like that go a long way. I don’t know your experience - may be you tried all that.

Feel free to email me and we can brainstorm.