Focus Topics – Employee related issues
Employee related issues:
Introduction
We are Zehnder
Our approximately 3,700 employees1 are our greatest asset, which is why we want to provide the best possible working environment for them. We consistently strive to improve their well-being as well as their professional and personal development. The social and cultural differences between the various countries we operate in demand that we place equity, fairness, inclusion and diversity at the forefront of our operations.
In the 2023 reporting period, our focus centred on three key topics: Occupational health and safety, Attractive employer and Diversity, equal opportunity, inclusion and decent work. These topics address several matters identified in our double materiality assessment.
1 The number of employees is reported in headcount as an average across the reporting period. Workers who are not employees but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organisation are not included.
Impacts, risks and opportunities
Impacts
As an employer, we have a direct impact on our employees’ safety and well-being. This includes not only their physical but also their mental well-being.
We also have an impact on our employees’ opportunities for development and their work-life balance. Our recruitment and overall HR policies have an impact on gender diversity and equity in terms of gender, pay and opportunities. From a societal perspective, we provide employment and constantly strive to help our employees develop, enhancing their employability and meeting the demand for a highly educated workforce. Our corporate culture also plays a strong role in raising awareness of sustainability among our employees. Promoting sustainability within our company culture, whether through initiatives like recycling and waste reduction or participation in events such as Veganuary, serves to motivate our employees. This encouragement aims to inspire them to embrace more sustainable behaviours in their personal lives as well.
Risks and opportunities
As part of a manufacturing company, our employees sometimes work with processes and machinery that pose potential health and safety risks, particularly processes of metal forming or plastic injection. Managing occupational health and safety (OHS) means ensuring working conditions free of risk to physical and mental health, accidents or injuries insofar as it is possible. Zehnder might lose employees if working conditions are substandard. The local working laws provide the framework, therefore the level of risk varies by country and sector. Balancing these factors is essential for mitigating risk and maintaining a positive impact on both workforce dynamics and the company’s global operations.
Above all, for Zehnder, motivated employees are a key resource for innovation and long-term success. Managing the identified risks proactively, based on a strong corporate culture, enables us to remain an attractive employer and business partner.
GRI 2: General Disclosures 2021
Disclosure 2-7 Employees
|
Indicator description |
Unit of measure |
2023 |
2022 |
Change from prior year |
|
|
Number of employees by gender – female (headcount) |
# |
984 |
945 |
4.1 |
% |
|
Number of employees by gender – male (headcount) |
# |
2,683 |
2,892 |
–7.2 |
% |
|
Number of employees by gender – diverse (headcount) |
# |
2 |
1 |
100.0 |
% |
|
Number of employees by region – EMEA (headcount) |
# |
2,794 |
2,884 |
–3.1 |
% |
|
Number of employees by region – Asia-Pacific (headcount) |
# |
461 |
489 |
–5.8 |
% |
|
Number of employees by region – North America (headcount) |
# |
415 |
466 |
–10.9 |
% |
|
Total number of employees (headcount) |
# |
3,669 |
3,839 |
–4.4 |
% |
The number of employees is reported in headcount as an average across the reporting period.
GRI 2: General Disclosures 2021
Disclosure 2-8 Workers who are not employees
|
Indicator description |
Unit of measure |
2023 |
2022 |
Change from prior year |
|
|
Total number of workers who are not employees but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organisation (headcount) |
# |
215 |
491 |
–56.2 |
% |
The number of workers who are not employees but whose work and/or workplace is controlled by the organisation is reported in headcount as an average across the reporting period.
Workers are defined as individuals which are employed via a domestic and/or foreign agency or self-employed. They do not have a contract of employment with Zehnder Group (are not on the payroll), but work is controlled by the organisation inside and/or outside Zehnder premises (covers contractors, suppliers, workers, self-employed people, volunteers, etc.).