Update to links pertaining to visiting grant

#### Location Channels (loc_)

These channels are used to help GitLab team-members who are in the same general region of the world to talk about get-togethers and other location-specific items. They are also instrumental if you're going to be visiting somewhere else in the world - there might be a GitLab team-member or two nearby! Feel free to join the channel temporarily to chat with GitLab team-members who live there, and see if there is an opportunity to leverage the [visiting grant](/handbook/total-rewards/incentives/#visiting-grant) to add value to your trip.

These channels are used to help GitLab team-members who are in the same general region of the world to talk about get-togethers and other location-specific items. They are also instrumental if you're going to be visiting somewhere else in the world - there might be a GitLab team-member or two nearby! Feel free to join the channel temporarily to chat with GitLab team-members who live there, and see if there is an opportunity to connect during your trip.

If there's a channel not listed below, please add in alphabetical order with an MR.

The first month in a remote role can feel [lonely](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/2018/04/27/remote-future-how-remote-companies-stay-connected/), especially if you're [transitioning from a traditional office setting](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/2018/03/15/working-at-gitlab-affects-my-life/).

- To prevent loneliness, all-remote companies should consider an [intentional structure to informal communications](informal-communication/).

- Scheduling [coffee chats](informal-communication/#coffee-chats), [social calls](informal-communication/#team-days-and-social-calls), and [incentivizing in-person visits](/handbook/total-rewards/incentives/#visiting-grant) between team members are several of the ways in which GitLab accomplishes this.

- Scheduling [coffee chats](informal-communication/#coffee-chats), [social calls](informal-communication/#team-days-and-social-calls), and incentivizing in-person visits between team members are several of the ways in which GitLab accomplishes this.

### Feeling left out

**Solutions**

- To prevent loneliness, all-remote companies should consider an [intentional structure to informal communications](informal-communication/).

- Scheduling [coffee chats](informal-communication/#coffee-chats), [social calls](informal-communication/#team-days-and-social-calls), and [incentivizing in-person visits](/handbook/total-rewards/incentives/#visiting-grant) between team members are several of the ways in which GitLab accomplishes this.

- Scheduling [coffee chats](informal-communication/#coffee-chats), [social calls](informal-communication/#team-days-and-social-calls), and incentivizing in-person visits between team members are several of the ways in which GitLab accomplishes this.

### Challenge: Communication breakdown

**Solutions**

- Build an [intentional structure for informal communication](informal-communication/) to help combat loneliness.

- Schedule regular [coffee chats](informal-communication/#coffee-chats), [social calls](informal-communication/#team-days-and-social-calls), and [incentivize in-person visits](/handbook/total-rewards/incentives/#visiting-grant) between team members to encourage team building and prevent isolation.

- Schedule regular [coffee chats](informal-communication/#coffee-chats), [social calls](informal-communication/#team-days-and-social-calls), and incentivize in-person visits between team members to encourage team building and prevent isolation.

### Challenge: Communication

### Q: How is informal communication encouraged and enabled?

Remote companies must be intentional about [informal communication](informal-communication/). When some or all team members are not able to foster relationships in person, a company must take deliberate steps. Consider asking for specific [examples](/handbook/total-rewards/incentives/#visiting-grant) of how a company has created an atmosphere where team members are [encouraged to connect as humans](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/2017/06/30/there-and-back-again-in-one-release/), not just colleagues.

Remote companies must be intentional about [informal communication](informal-communication/). When some or all team members are not able to foster relationships in person, a company must take deliberate steps. Consider asking for specific examples of how a company has created an atmosphere where team members are [encouraged to connect as humans](https://about.gitlab.com/blog/2017/06/30/there-and-back-again-in-one-release/), not just colleagues.

### Q: What percentage of your team was hired without an in-person meeting?

### Hire talent across the globe

Not only does hybrid remote allow organizations to hire the best talent on the planet, it also gives your employees the opportunity to network as they [meet and work with people from many locations around the world](/handbook/total-rewards/incentives/#visiting-grant), widening one's view of the world and creating opportunities to learn about new cultures.

Not only does hybrid remote allow organizations to hire the best talent on the planet, it also gives your employees the opportunity to network as they meet and work with people from many locations around the world, widening one's view of the world and creating opportunities to learn about new cultures.

## Disadvantages to hybrid-remote