At gaiia, we’re fully remote and committed to providing our team the flexibility to work from wherever they’re most productive—including abroad! We know the chance to work from new places is exciting and can boost creativity and well-being. It’s also a great way to handle personal situations, like being closer to family, or to combine vacation with working from a different location. At the same time, we need to ensure everything runs smoothly for you and for gaiia. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning to work outside your home country:
Approval Process
- Submit your request to your Department Head
- Share your plans with your Department Head for initial approval.
- They’ll discuss details like how long you’ll be away, where you’ll be working from, and how it aligns with team needs.
- Department Head reviews feasibility with People Ops (HR & Finance)
- After your request, your Department Head will coordinate with People Ops to assess any legal, tax, or compliance implications.
- Since we have limited resources to manage complex risks, we ask employees to select safe and straightforward locations. Requests involving high-risk or overly complex locations may not be approved. Thank you for your understanding!
- Time Zone Compatibility
- We’ll also review how your working hours align with the team’s schedule, as this may vary based on your role and team dynamics.
Guidelines
Duration Limits
The time you can work abroad will be set with your Department Head and People Ops, keeping risks like these in mind:
- Avoiding tax complications and ensuring we don’t trigger permanent tax responsibilities in other countries.
- Staying within legal limits for visas and immigration requirements.
- Making sure you’re covered under our group travel insurance plan.
Location Considerations
You’ll need to choose a location that works for remote work and get it approved by the Security Officer and People Ops. Here’s what we’ll check for:
- Safety concerns, including political risks, theft, or surveillance threats that could impact intellectual property and data privacy.
- Reliable internet access to ensure uninterrupted productivity.
Costs and Tools
If working abroad comes with extra costs, they’ll be your responsibility. You might also need tools like VPN software to ensure secure and reliable work access.
Performance Expectations