ClientEarth’s approach to flexible working: a summary for candidates

Disclaimer: The below is information for candidates that are thinking of applying for a role at ClientEarth, or currently in one of our recruitment processes. The aim of this article is to help candidates assess whether our flexible working offer is right for them.

We have tried to summarise our relevant policies but cannot cover all details and eventualities.  While we have tried to ensure accuracy, laws and guidance in this area are subject to frequent change. Full versions of our policies are available to colleagues when they join us.

Please do let us know if you have any specific questions that are not answered below. We share our recruitment team contact details with candidates when they make an application, or leave a comment below.

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Flexible working is high on many candidates’ lists when looking for their next role, and it’s easy to understand why. At ClientEarth we are proud of our flexible working offer and summarise our approach to flexible working on our careers site.

However flexible working can mean different things to different people, and expectations can sometimes be misaligned as a result. In 2023, ClientEarth obtained Flexa accreditation in order to benchmark our flexible working offer against those of other organisations. I also wanted to be clear with our candidates about what our flexible working offer does and does not include.

Due to the complex nature of this area, candidates often have additional questions. I hope the below will help answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

Our hybrid working style

Our approach to office attendance is summarised in all of our job adverts:

“Our flexible working policy allows our people the choice to decide to work from home/another location in the country where their contract of employment is issued for 80% of their month, with the other 20% of their month being office-based”

What does 80%/20% look like on a week-by-week basis?

Many colleagues will have a regular working pattern where they have at least one day a week in the office. Other colleagues who live further away from the office may choose to combine their in-office days, for example spending four days in the office back-to-back, and then spending most of the rest of their month working from home/another location.

Of course, there could be times when colleagues need to be in the office more frequently than the mandatory 20%.

Due to the nature of some roles (for example our Operations/Office Management colleagues) there may be a requirement to be in the office much more regularly than 20% of the time. We will make this clear in the job advert if this is the case, and our interview panels will be more than happy to discuss working patterns in more detail with you.

Does that mean I am only allowed to come into the office once a week?

Our offices have enough desks for many of our staff to be in the office at the same time, and many colleagues choose to be in the office for much more than 20% of their time. However, we do sometimes have days when desk space is more limited, for example due to team meetings or staff visiting from other offices.

Can I be sure that I will have a desk before I travel to the office?

We use a desk booking system that enables you to book a desk in advance.

If I live far away from the office, will you pay for my travel expenses?

Travel to the office is at your own expense, regardless of how near or far you live from it, unless we are mandated to pay for travel by local law. Obviously if you live a long way from the office, it will cost you more to travel in, which is why some colleagues choose to do their office days back-to-back, in order to save on travel costs.

Will you pay for my accommodation if I need to travel a long way to get to the office?

If you choose to stay overnight while working back-to-back days in the office, this will be at your own expense.

Can I negotiate the 20% office attendance, for example for a decrease in salary?

20% office attendance is mandatory and non-negotiable, with the exception of colleagues with long term illnesses/disabilities, those with caregiving responsibilities and where otherwise stated on our job adverts.

Can I claim for my home internet bill?

We will not pay for internet connections unless we are obliged to do so by local legislation.

Working for ClientEarth from other countries

Our approach to Working From Abroad (WFA) is summarised on our careers site

“Staff can work from another country (for non-work reasons) for up to 30 working days per calendar year (pro rata for staff working part time). To take advantage of this scheme staff must complete a number of declarations and be able to stay and work in the relevant country without breaching immigration rules or incurring tax or social security liability.”

Why would I want to work from another country?

Many of our colleagues have family in other countries, so this allows them to spend extra time with them. For other colleagues, it offers an opportunity to extend a holiday or make sure they are able to deliver on a work-based deadline.

Can I check if I could work from <country x> as part of the WFA allowance in advance?

Unfortunately, there are too many variables involved with working from abroad to be able to give definite answers to potential candidates. Internet research may be able to give you some initial answers.

Does that mean I can work for you long term from any country?

We are only able to employ staff in countries where we have a registered office. At present that means Belgium, China, Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, the UK and the USA. Regardless of your own right to work status in countries other than those listed above, we will not be able to employ you in a country where we do not have an office.

Does that mean I can do an advertised job from any of your office locations?

We list which office(s) the role can be based in in our job adverts. If one of our offices is not listed as a potential location in the job advert, it will be for a business reason. The reasons for basing a role in a particular location could include existing team structures, the focus of the work, time zone differences or cost, amongst others.

Will you pay for my relocation?

Any costs associated with moving to another country to work for ClientEarth will be at your own expense.