Working remotely from abroad? PROMOS makes it possible!

Hi, Elias! It’s great to have you here. Could you tell us a bit about how long you've been with PROMOS and what you did before?

Elias: Of course, it would be my pleasure. I started working at PROMOS as a working student of industrial engineering in November 2018 while simultaneously writing my bachelor thesis. At the time, I was specialising in Business Intelligence (BI) projects and BI reports for our mobile easysquare solutions. I was able to continue working at PROMOS as a working student during my Master’s, which I’m immensely grateful for. During my Master’s thesis, I received support and was simultaneously able to delve into new topics while working on EED projects and our tenant app. I’ve been working full time since 2022. Part of my role entails supporting and coordinating EED projects, and I also act as a Consultant in the EXAD2 team (utility cost management).

What do you appreciate the most about your work at PROMOS?

Elias: I especially appreciate my fantastic colleagues and the friendly atmosphere. Thanks to our flat hierarchies, we all work as equals and show our appreciation through praise or small gestures such as birthday greetings, gift parcels or joint activities. Another aspect I really appreciate is the flexibility and independence I have in my work.

You’ve made use of our remote working from overseas benefit on more than one occasion. What is it about this that appeals to you the most?

Elias: The opportunity to be temporarily reunited with family overseas and to be there for family members and friends, particularly in hard times, was especially appealing to me. That’s when it’s really convenient to be able to be there and have the opportunity to combine your work and private life. I also have a fascination with foreign countries, cultures and languages. By living in another country, I can really get to know it and experience living like a local. I can also spend my free time doing different things, such as supporting local volunteering projects.

You recently spent three months in Brazil, where you worked remotely. What was your average work day like?

Elias: Due to the time difference, I got up very early (between 03:30 and 05:30 am) and therefore had an early start, which turned out to be an advantage, as I finished work in the early afternoon and was able to spend lots of time with my family. We were able to enjoy the sea or discover new outdoor areas, for example. Apart from the time difference, not much changed in terms of work, as I already worked remotely from home the majority of the time when I was in Germany.

Would you like to temporarily work from overseas again in future, and if so, from where?

Elias: Yes, I would like to work remotely from overseas again in future. To me, it offers many advantages and provides a good work-life-balance. I’m planning to stay in Portugal or return to Brazil, for example. In my spare time, I’m fascinated by the underwater world and in future I would like to explore well-known underwater locations and underwater research projects such as the Galapagos Islands, Bahamas or Tahiti.

What do you look forward to the most during your workation?

Elias: I look forward to a change from my everyday life and to being able to combine this with my work at PROMOS. I also love getting to know nice people from other cultures, and I look forward to the sea, of course!

Do you have any advice for all those who want to work from overseas for the first time?

Elias: I would recommend being transparent from the start and proactively informing immediate colleagues and, if necessary, customers about your new place of work so that you can coordinate appointments at suitable times. This means that everyone is aware of your current situation, preventing any potential misunderstandings. A secure internet connection and good WiFi reception are also essential. My advice would be to bring a WiFi booster with you, so you can choose where you work more freely and further away from the router, such as on a balcony. Either way, enjoy your time overseas!

Thank you to Elias for the interview and for his insights into working remotely from abroad!

Notes on the conditions for overseas remote working:
All members of staff can work from other European countries for up to three months per calendar year without stating a reason. There must be reasonable grounds for stays outside the EU. In addition to technical and organisational specifications, the basic prerequisites for working remotely overseas include a stable internet connection and a professional work environment.