"The compatibility of family and career is right at the top of our list of social responsibilities. That's why we are very pleased that we have once again been awarded as a family-friendly employer," explains Thomas Lichtblau, spokesman for the BIPA management, and adds: "In addition, it is very important to us to support women in their careers and to integrate people with disabilities."
BIPA receives state seal of approval "berufundfamilie" again
The first certification with the berufundfamilie seal of approval was eight years ago. Since then, there have been two re-certifications and many measures, all of which help to ensure that BIPA employees - 98 percent of BIPA employees are women - are able to achieve a good work-life balance.
"Especially in the current challenging times, good communication and team cohesion are important success factors. We support our employees, among other things, through flexible working time models, through childcare in the summer and we are also increasingly focusing on part-time management," says Thomas Lichtblau at the virtual seal of approval award ceremony by Family Minister Susanne Raab in the beginning of March.
Promotion of women at BIPA awarded with "equalitA" seal of quality
The promotion of women and apprentices as well as the professional equality of women and men are important concerns for BIPA. In November 2020, the company was awarded the "equalitA" seal of quality by Minister of Economic Affairs Margarete Schramböck for its successful implementation.
"In order to be able to promote our employees in a targeted manner in their life phases, dialogue has been at the centre of our attention from the very beginning. Regular feedback meetings, annual development meetings, maternity leave meetings, onboarding and offboarding meetings, etc. and fundamentally transparent communication on all topics of employee development and promotion are central elements and also an essential part of our living management and corporate culture," explains Elisabeth Burgis, Head of Human Resources and Internal Communication at BIPA.
She adds: "And in order to be able to optimally reconcile work and family, we need a transparent sabbatical and maternity leave management process - which in turn is about genuine dialogue between employees and managers."
Individuality and diversity in the BIPA teams
"At BIPA, we know that diverse teams are the most successful ones," says Thomas Lichtblau, thinking, for example, of the BIPA branch in Traiskirchen and the shop manager Claudia Mayer, who has severely impaired vision and has mastered her everyday job in this position for ten years in the best possible way.
At BIPA, the recognition, appreciation and inclusion of people with disabilities are a matter of course. This is not only laid down in the REWE Disability Charter but is also reflected in our joint actions. "We are convinced that with this approach we win in many ways: the loyalty of our employees - existing and new -, valuable experience in our teams and, last but not least, the hearts of our customers," Thomas Lichtblau concludes.
