Mobility
Relocation clauses that look flexible until they are not
“Willingness to travel” and “possible future location changes” appear harmless until a reorg moves your desk 400 kilometers. In employment consultations in Germany we treat mobility language as a first-class comparison axis beside cash.
Define the geography
Ask whether the Vertrag names a Dienstort, a region, or the entire Bundesrepublik. Named cities score cleaner. Nationwide clauses deserve an amber or red flag depending on your household constraints.
Relocation support vs. relocation duty
A package that pays movers is not the same as a clause that obliges you to move on short notice. Separate the benefit line from the duty line on your scorecard. Clawbacks on relocation payments also belong in Column C friction costs.
Remote work as a counterweight
Hybrid policies written as “manager discretion” provide less protection than a stated remote day count. If mobility risk is high, negotiate a review date for remote arrangements rather than a vague promise.
Bring it into the comparison
Weight mobility according to your real life — dual careers, school catchments, caregiving. Then let the sheet speak. For a guided template, use Offer Lens or enroll in the flagship course.