Crossword Genius

Carte blanche the off-duty employee has? (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

free hand

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'carte blanche' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'off-duty employee has?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'employee' could be 'hand' (hand is a kind of employee) and 'hand' is located in the answer.
'off duty' could be 'free' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'free' is found in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for free hand that I've seen before include "Style of drawing - carte blanche (8;4,4)" , "Power to organise as one chooses" , "Authority" , "Drawn without aids" , "Done without mechanical aid or device" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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