Work from anywhere: how SAP is empowering employees with true flexibility
In this blog, Heather Walker, Head of Employer Branding at SAP, shares her experience with SAP's Work from Anywhere scheme.
22nd May 2025
• 5 minutes
What if your office could be anywhere — your home, a co-working space, a beachside café, or even a different country? At SAP, that’s not just a dream — it’s a reality.
With their work from anywhere approach, SAP is reimagining what modern work looks like by giving employees the freedom to choose where they do their best work. But what does that really feel like day-to-day?
We caught up with Heather Walker, Head of Employer Branding at SAP, to hear how this flexible working model plays out in real life — from the tools and support she receives, to the ways she stays connected and continues to grow her career from wherever she is.
This blog will cover:
- How SAP’s “Work from Anywhere” policy empowers employees with true flexibility
- What working remotely across countries looks like in practice
- How SAP supports productivity, collaboration, and well-being across time zones
- The role of trust and autonomy in building a flexible work culture
- Tips for making the most of a global work-from-anywhere policy
What does “work from anywhere” mean at SAP, and how have you personally made it work for you?
SAP’s flexible working policies vary by region but for me in the UK it means we can work abroad for personal reasons up to 30 days in a 12 month period. I have worked abroad to be able to do extended trips and see colleagues in different locations.
My most recent example was Singapore. I was going to Hong Kong for a holiday and so I flew via Singapore and spent a week there. I worked on three of the days to host a coffee corner with colleagues in the region, and spend some quality time with a direct report based there. This meant that due to a bank holiday, the extra day’s leave SAP UK give for your birthday, and working whilst on the trip, I was away two weeks and only used 6 days annual leave.
How often do you work from a location outside of your usual home or office? What was that experience like?
I work abroad a couple of times a year. We have a family property in Spain so it also allows me to take extended trips there.
How does SAP support employees in setting up and maintaining a productive remote workspace?
Being a software company we are very well equipped for remote working. We have an app in which we can log where in the world we are working from for insurance purposes. It’s reassuring to know that even if I am working in Spain I am covered in the same way I would be if I were working from my home office in Oxfordshire.
What tools or platforms make collaboration seamless across different locations and time zones?
My team is global and so we are already collaborating across timezones. My travel sometimes means I am closer to my team and we can be even more collaborative. Especially on the recent visit to Singapore. Usually we only overlap for a few hours but spending whole days together meant we got weeks’ worth of conversations in.
How do you stay connected with your team and maintain a sense of community while working remotely?
Given we are all mostly remote and in different timezones I don’t need to do anything different.
Has working from anywhere improved your work-life balance? If so, how?
This flex policy has been incredibly important to me. I have built stronger relationships with colleagues around the world.
Do you feel trusted to manage your own time and workload in a remote or hybrid setup?
SAP’s flex work policies are all trust based – flex location and flex hours. My boss in the US, I am in the UK, and my team are in the US, Germany, Czechia, Singapore and China. I have managed my own time and workload since day one. Travel doesn’t change that.
Have you noticed any changes in career development opportunities while working more flexibly?
I am currently studying for a level 7 executive leadership apprenticeship. Whilst working remotely in October I completed several modules and got a lot of additional reading done due to the change of scenery. I planned my day to start later and work into the evenings to keep meeting commitments, but it meant I had my mornings to sit with a coffee in the sun and focus on development topics. A change of scenery can sometimes shift your mindset and that’s what I love about working whilst travelling.
What advice would you give to someone joining SAP who wants to take advantage of the work-from-anywhere policy?
Be prepared to work crazy hours. My first day in Singapore I still had to do regularly scheduled meetings. Sitting on calls at 10pm at night in a hotel room gave me a greater respect for colleagues in Asia who frequently have to accommodate late night requests. A flexible approach and a growth mindset is essential at SAP, whether working from your local office, home or abroad.
What’s your favourite part about SAP’s approach to flexible working — and why does it work so well for you?
The trust SAP puts in its employees is why I am still here eight years on. I am empowered and supported to work when and where I am most productive. I could not go back to a full time office based 9-5 role now. It’s not a work life balance, it’s a blend.
FAQs about SAP’s Work from Anywhere Policy
1. What does “Work from Anywhere” mean at SAP?
SAP’s “Work from Anywhere” policy gives employees the freedom to choose where they work best — whether that’s from home, an SAP office, or another country for a set period each year. In the UK, this work from anywhere company allows employees can work abroad for personal reasons for up to 30 days within a 12-month period, creating opportunities to travel, connect with international colleagues, and integrate work with life.
2. How does SAP support employees working internationally?
As a global software company, SAP has built strong systems to make remote work seamless. Employees can log their location in a dedicated app for insurance and compliance purposes, ensuring they remain covered no matter where they’re working. The company also invests heavily in digital collaboration tools, so teams can stay connected and productive across borders and time zones.
3. What makes SAP’s flexible working model successful?
The foundation of SAP’s approach is trust. Employees are encouraged to manage their time and workload autonomously, supported by leaders who focus on outcomes rather than hours. This trust-based flexibility empowers people to work in ways that suit their personal circumstances — from balancing family commitments to exploring new environments that spark creativity.
4. How does “Work from Anywhere” impact collaboration and career growth?
Flexibility doesn’t mean isolation. Many SAP employees, like Heather Walker, find that travelling to different regions strengthens relationships with colleagues and opens up new learning opportunities. Working abroad can enhance cultural understanding, improve communication across teams, and even support professional development — such as finding focused time for training or certifications.
5. What advice does SAP give to employees using the “Work from Anywhere” scheme?
Heather’s biggest tip: embrace flexibility with a growth mindset. Time zone differences can mean early mornings or late-night calls, but the trade-off is worth it. Planning ahead, being transparent with your team, and staying adaptable helps ensure the experience is productive and rewarding.