Klarna embraces hybrid working giving staff the option to stay remote

In the confusing muddle of hybrid and remote working, Klarna has become the latest fintech to put its flag down with an ambitious global flexible work policy.

Klarna employees will be able to pick whether they work remotely, work from the office, or work internationally for up to 20 days per year at a Klarna office abroad.

The buy now, pay later giant says it’s a policy based on the last two years of experience, and balances its employee desires with overall productivity.

“If you love what you do, you should love where you do it,” said Linda Höglund, Klarna’s chief operating officer. 

“At Klarna, we appreciate that everyone has their own preferences of where and how to work. We are excited to combine the power of face-to-face interactions with effective remote work to create a hybrid model that empowers employees and encourages company-wide collaboration.”

The policy will be rolled out for Klarna’s over 7,000 employees in 20 markets, all of whom work across hundreds of small teams within the company.

As well as giving existing employees certainty, the policy will likely also be a boon for recruitment, with many workers in finance and tech looking for flexible working policies like this.

Klarna previously insisted that staff come to the office at least one day a week, with that day being agreed at a team level.

Most fintechs have been cautiously returning to the office, albeit with vague commitments to retain flexibility.

Many have offered international working for a period of time, like GoCardless with a 90-day allowance, while others have explored the possibility of a 4-day week like Atom Bank.

Only a few companies have committed to allowing workers to remain fully remote if they desire, with Revolut and Zopa as two examples.