37signals: A Refreshing Take on Work in a Chaotic World

I was scrolling through LinkedIn last night — not even sure what I was looking for—when something caught my eye. It was a job posting from 37signals for a Product Designer role, based in the U.S., fully remote. I’ve been applying to jobs for eight or nine years now, and I’ve seen my fair share of descriptions. Most are dry, vague, or loaded with demands that make you wonder if they’re hiring a human or a machine. But this one? It was different. It felt like someone real had written it, someone who actually meant what they said.

The lines that grabbed me were simple but powerful: “You won’t be mired in meetings, shaking your head at burdensome processes or be asked to put in hero hours. Your nights and weekends are yours, not ours. All we ask is an honest 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek.” And then: “We are remote… we don’t want people working graveyard shifts to make overlap happen.” I just sat there, rereading it, thinking, “Wait, is this allowed to exist?” In all my years of job hunting, I’d never seen anything so straightforward, so human. It wasn’t just a listing—it was an invitation.

That little spark of curiosity sent me down a rabbit hole. I headed to the 37signals website, and what I found there was just as surprising. There were no flashy animations, no stock photos of fake-smiling employees—just clean, clear words that felt warm and personal. It was like the site was saying, “Hey, take a look around. This is who we are.” Every click pulled me in deeper.

A Website That Feels Like a Conversation

I started with a section called Obligation to Independence. It talked about how the company doesn’t answer to investors or chase some big exit plan. They’re free to do things their way, and that freedom feels rare in a world obsessed with growth at all costs. Then there was Work Isn’t War, a reminder that work doesn’t have to be a battleground. I’ve been in jobs where deadlines felt like life-or-death, where the pressure never let up. Reading this was like a sigh of relief—proof that it doesn’t have to be that way.

The 8-8-8 philosophy stopped me in my tracks: eight hours for work, eight for life, eight for sleep. I’ve worked places where that balance was a joke—where nights and weekends got swallowed up by “just one more thing.” Seeing a company not only say this but live it gave me hope. Maybe there are workplaces out there that don’t run you into the ground.

Then I hit ASAP is poison. That line hit me square in the chest. I’ve felt that poison—those constant demands to drop everything, the stress that seeps into your bones when everything’s urgent. Whoever wrote it gets it, and I’d bet they’ve lived it too. Another gem was Bury the Hustle. I’ve watched friends drown in that mindset, working themselves ragged because that’s what you’re “supposed” to do. I’ve felt it myself too, that pull to keep going even when you’re empty. Seeing a company call it out was validating in a way I didn’t expect. I’m serious—I’m turning that phrase into my LinkedIn banner.

Digging Deeper: Shape Up and Rework

I stumbled across Shape Up, their approach to building products, and downloaded the free book on the spot. It’s sitting on my desk now, waiting for me to dive in. And then I saw Rework—a book that’s been on my wishlist forever—written by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, the founders of 37signals. I’d started the audiobook a while back, but after this, I’m making it my next finish. Everything was starting to connect: the job posting, the website, the ideas—it all felt like it came from the same place, a place that cares about doing things differently.

A Personal Reflection

All of this made me think about my own journey. I’ve had jobs where micromanagement was relentless, where I’d get a schedule dumped on me for interviews or tasks, no questions asked. I’ve stayed up late, worked weekends, and wondered if that’s just how it has to be. Finding 37signals felt like a wake-up call—a reminder that work can respect your time, your life, you as a person. It’s not whining to say I wish I’d seen this sooner; it’s just honest. And it’s why I had to write to Jason.

I sent him an email, pouring out my appreciation. I told him how much their approach means to someone like me, stuck in a time zone that doesn’t fit their hiring map. I’d love to sit down with him over coffee—or even just chat online—and talk about all this. That’s not in the cards right now, but putting my thoughts into words felt right. I wanted him to know that what he’s built at 37signals matters, that it’s reaching people like me who are tired of the grind.

Why This Matters—and Why You Should Check It Out

If you’re feeling worn out by work, if you’re wondering if there’s a better way, go visit the 37signals website. Poke around, read what they’ve written. It’s not just a company—it’s a glimpse at what work could be. I can’t apply for that Product Designer job (time zones, ugh), but I’m sharing this anyway because it’s too good to keep to myself. Jason and his team are onto something, and I hope more people—more companies—take notice.

So, yeah, that’s my story of stumbling across 37signals. It started with a job post and turned into something bigger—a little spark of hope in a world that often feels like it’s running on fumes. What do you think? Ever found a company that made you rethink work? Let me know—I’d love to hear your take.

Saqib Quadri
LinkedIn | Email