Caring Workspaces

VAUDE

2 years ago
Caring Workspaces

VAUDE is an eco-friendly outdoor supplier based in Germany, producing equipment for mountaineering and outdoor sports. VAUDE attaches great importance to the environmental friendliness of all its processes. In 2008, VAUDE received EMAS certification, and in 2012 all of its centers became carbon neutral. VAUDE adopted a global climate strategy in 2019 and made its transportation and shipping operations carbon neutral in 2021 and all its products carbon neutral in 2022. VAUDE also publishes annual sustainability reports.

Diversity is also promoted at VAUDE. Fair consideration of diversity in recruitment processes and salary determination, flexible working conditions for work-life balance, active support for employees who are foreign and/or refugees, the organization of an Annual Diversity "Day of Action" on Germany's Diversity Day, an international team of 13% foreign employees are some of the steps VAUDE takes towards equality and diversity. VAUDE provides fair opportunities and employment support to people with disabilities as part of the company's alignment with social values. During the reporting period, VAUDE employed 11 employees with disabilities, 5 of whom are men and 6 of whom are women.

VAUDE attaches importance to gender equality. VAUDE has 45% female employees in management. Gender-neutral statements are used in communication activities and sustainability reports to recognize people of all gender identities equally. With the specially designed VAUDE Payroll System, efforts are made to ensure that all employees have transparent and fair salaries.

VAUDE provides exceptional support for employees on maternity leave so that they can return to work. To this end, VAUDE offers especially female employees the opportunity to do some of their work from home. VAUDE attaches importance to work-life balance. It helps employees design their workdays flexibly with trust-based working hours. At VAUDE, 25% of managers work part-time, about 11% work less than 30 hours a week, and about 14% work part-time close to full-time, i.e. 30 - 40 hours a week.

VAUDE works for employees with dependent children and has a childcare center, VAUDE Kinderhaus, which has been active since 2001 and serves 31 children. At VAUDE, parental leave is used extensively by men and women at all hierarchical levels and departments. To ensure that working mothers and fathers can return to work quickly after parental leave following their personal needs, appropriate discussions are held with employees in HR departments before, during, and after parental leave.

VAUDE has had a horizontal corporate culture since the company's foundation and attaches great importance to transparency and the active participation of employees. It involves its employees in personnel policy development and decision-making processes and works to create a self-governing organization. For example, restructuring is developed and implemented with the involvement of those involved, rather than top-down.

VAUDE is also a care-oriented workplace with an ergonomic and modern workspace. It has height-adjustable desks that can also be used standing up, daylight sensor lamps for optimal lighting, and sound-absorbing ceilings and floors. There is also an outdoor climbing wall in front of the administration building and a gym with a wide range of equipment to help employees stay active. VAUDE also has a "health management system". In this system, VAUDE employees are trained as health coaches and the coaches offer regular courses and sports activities to other employees. Any employee with a health problem can also consult these health coaches. The team also organizes mountain sports, cycling, and climbing activities. In its canteens, VAUDE always emphasizes the use of locally sourced, seasonal, fresh ingredients with organic certificates. Training on various topics is offered for the personal and professional development of employees.

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