Марія Бровінська Work 28 February 2026, 09:52

Not just a salary: how IT companies kept teams warm in the winter of 2025-2026. Wintering in Madrid, $1000 for relocation and payment for UPS for each

January 2026 was one of the most difficult for civilians during a full-scale war: massive attacks, long blackouts, lack of heat in parts of the cities. For IT companies, it was again a test of resilience — not only of business processes, but also of real care for people.

On the last day of this extremely difficult winter, we tell you how Ukrainian companies supported their teams — from generators and sleeping rooms to hotel compensation and relocation programs. And we really want to believe that the coming months will be a little easier for all of us.

The office as a shelter: generators, showers and sleeping rooms

This winter, offices have once again become more than workspaces—in fact, points of invulnerability.

EVO operates in a self-sufficient office with two generators. It is equipped with four showers, washing machines with dryers, and two sleeping rooms. In times of crisis, not only employees but also their families are accommodated — additional sleeping spaces are deployed quickly.

Headway Inc.'s Kyiv office has been open 24/7 since the start of the full-scale invasion. The space is equipped with light, heat, stable internet, water and food supplies. In winter, overnight areas with sleeping bags, sleeping mats, heating pads and dry rations have been set up, as well as a separate space for families with children. The office remains pet-friendly.

PlantIn keeps the office running smoothly with light, heat, showers, and hot lunches. The space is even open on weekends if needed.

At SoftServe, offices have been operating as internal resilience centers since 2022: generators, water supplies, medications, rest rooms, and spaces for parents with children. During blackouts, they are also opened for SoftServe Academy students. At the same time, attendance has increased by only 10–15% — most professionals have autonomy at home.

ZONE3000 supports offices in Lviv and Kharkiv and hubs in 15 cities. The Kharkiv office is a full-fledged underground shelter where you can stay during shelling. The locations are equipped with showers and rest areas.

Railsware has expanded its space in Kyiv’s Creative States, making it a place where you can not only work, but also wait out a difficult period with your family. A similar support format is in place in Dnipro.

The Levi9 office is open to employees and their families: there are heaters, places to sleep, and the opportunity to charge devices.

Home autonomy: charging stations and energy independence

In parallel, the business invested in home team autonomy.

Railsware has been helping with the purchase of charging stations, inverters, batteries, and power banks since 2022. Internal chats share life hacks on setting up UPSs and even installing solar panels.

Headway Inc compensates 50% of the cost of charging stations and partially or fully covers accommodation in hotels with generators.

At PlantIn, around 45 employees use home charging stations.

At Levi9, at the end of 2022, everyone received a station or compensation for its purchase.

Ciklum specialists have access to special conditions and discounts on energy equipment.

Relocation and hotels: when to change location

A separate direction is mobility.

Ciklum offers one-time financial support of $1,000 for temporary relocation — within Ukraine or abroad. These funds are used to rent housing or live in energy-independent locations. 10 additional coworking spaces are also available in large cities.

Master of Code Global opens spaces in Kyiv and Cherkasy for work, recovery, and overnight stays. In case of long blackouts, the locations are open on weekends. Compensation for coworking or short-term hotel stays is provided.

Headway Inc. has been running a wintering program in Madrid for the second year, where one of its offices is located. Part of the accommodation costs are reimbursed.

PlantIn covers up to five days of hotel accommodation in the event of a lack of heat.

Flexibility and mental toughness

Support is not just about infrastructure.

Railsware works with a flexible schedule: teams manage their own time, reschedule meetings to fit outage schedules, and change locations as needed.

ZONE3000 provides 5 paid sick leaves per month without a certificate — they can also be used for mental recovery after night shelling.

SoftServe offers a psychological support program (up to four consultations per month), medical insurance, and individual assistance in the event of home damage.

Instead of a conclusion

This winter, the IT business once again served as not only an employer but also a support system. Generators and showers, sleeping rooms and underground offices, hotel compensation and wintering in Madrid — all this became the new norm.

In the fourth year of a full-scale war, caring for people is no longer a bonus. It is a basic strategy for resilience.

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