At smartclip, family comes first — and we mean it

At smartclip, we know that caregiving — especially parenting — is a central part of many employees’ lives. Being a parent is challenging enough, and we believe that work shouldn’t make it harder. With fair policies and structural support, we aim to create an environment where being a parent doesn’t put anyone at a disadvantage and where flexibility, paid leave, and understanding are not just “extras,” but part of how we fundamentally work.

Family first — always

At smartclip, we don’t view caregiving as an interruption to “real work” — it’s part of life. And no one should feel torn between being there for their child and being taken seriously as a professional. That belief shapes how we approach policies around child sick leave.

In Germany, our policies go beyond the legal minimum; we’ve built a system that removes unnecessary stress and makes room for what really matters in those moments. When a child falls ill, we continue full salary for up to five consecutive days — with no annual cap. It’s a clear signal of trust: that parents know best when they’re needed at home, and that their commitment to work isn’t in question because of it. Beyond that, German law provides additional unpaid leave, with sick leave benefits covered by health insurance. Our aim is to go further than compliance, and by embedding structural support into how we work, we ensure that caregiving responsibilities are treated fairly — not as exceptions, but as a normal and respected part of life.

“As a single mum in an executive role, I could talk at length about how much I value smartclip’s supportive culture for working parents, but one thing that stands out most is the full sick-pay benefit — it lifts a huge weight off my shoulders when my daughter needs me. The flexibility and trust here allow me to be both a present mum and an effective leader. And because these policies are part of how we work, I can extend that same flexibility to my own team — ensuring every parent feels supported.”

– Shira Leffel, VP Marketing & Product Education 

Flexibility is Part of the Job

Parenting doesn’t always run on schedule. Sometimes, school drop-offs, daycare closures, or just the everyday juggling act of family life don’t neatly fit into fixed hours. That’s why we factored flexibility into our working culture from the start.

Employees can adjust their hours to what makes sense for them — whether that means shifting the day around for a doctor’s appointment, stepping away for school pick-up, or reducing working hours to part-time. Our Mobile Office policy also makes it possible to choose the setting that works best, whether that’s your home, the office, or somewhere in between.

For us, this isn’t about being casual or “laid-back” about work. It’s about recognising that rigid systems often leave working parents at a disadvantage. Time and again, we’ve seen that having kids doesn’t slow down a career — many of our colleagues, including senior leaders, have continued to rise and thrive while raising young families. Flexibility, backed by mutual trust and accountability, ensures that our smartclippers can meet both their professional goals and personal responsibilities — without being forced to choose between them.

“As a father, I really value the flexibility at smartclip — from mobile office options to adaptable working hours. It gives our family the freedom to put our kids first when we need to, without feeling like work has to suffer. There’s a real sense of trust here; it’s a give-and-take that makes it possible to balance family life and professional responsibilities in a way that works for everyone.”

– Benjamin Kotzott, Business Product Director – Advanced Integrations

Extra Resources for Parents

We know parenting isn’t just about managing calendars — it’s an ongoing responsibility that can be both rewarding and demanding. That’s why we offer additional resources aimed at helping to ease some of that load.

With Voiio, our employees have access to a wide range of services: pregnancy and parenting courses, coaching for kids, and even relationship counselling — you name it and Voiio probably has it. It’s about having a trusted resource for the moments when guidance or extra support makes a difference.

We also recognise that caregiving carries an emotional weight. That’s why we offer mental health support via the Phileo app, professional counselling services, and trained Mental Health First Aiders within our teams. These resources are designed to make sure our smartclippers have the right support — not only as professionals, but as parents and individuals.

Because for us, being a parent and being a professional should never be in conflict. Both roles deserve respect, and both should be possible without compromise.

“What I value most at smartclip is knowing I don’t have to choose between my family and my career. Flexible working models, including part-time options, let me contribute fully at work while respecting the importance of my personal and family life — without any pressure or judgment.” 

– Celina Brinkmeier, Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Our policies are written with all parents and family dynamics in mind. By making flexibility and leave equally accessible, we aim to break down traditional gender roles and make it clear that caregiving is everyone’s responsibility — and everyone deserves the same support to show up fully at work and at home. At smartclip, we’ve built a workplace where being a parent is part of the picture, not something to work around. By upholding our values of flexibility, support, and fairness, we’ve created a culture that doesn’t require our employees to choose between their professional and home lives. And what supports parents ultimately strengthens the way we work together — creating a fair and flexible workplace for everyone.