Corporate practices: how the SICK AG sensor producer managed to reduce stress and noise in its offices

Keeping employees healthy.  Special award in 2005 for its ‘lifelong learning’ concept, award for its measures in favor of senior workers in 2006 and 2008, award for its equal opportunities policy in 2007 and, finally, award for its health management system in 2009…, the list of prizes awarded to the company (5,000 employees worldwide, €596.8M in sales in 2009) is impressive.  It is the result of a groundbreaking HR policy, initiated by Rudolf Kast, Director of Personnel from 1995 to 2010, and continued by his successor, Andreas Grieger.  The policy lets the company face demographic ageing and the growing lack of skilled workers in Germany.  However, it has another purpose, and it has to do with the size of the company and the geographical location of its headquarters – Waldkirchen, a small town in Bavaria.  “As a SME, we have to make twice the efforts to attract and retain our employees for as long as possible, and in good health, in the company.  Things are easier for large businesses in Munich” Viola Grieshaber, from SICK’s HR department, told Planet Labor.
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by his successor, Andreas Grieger. The policy lets the company face demographic ageing and the growing lack of skilled workers in Germany. However, it has another purpose, and it has to do with the size of the company and the geographical location of its headquarters – Waldkirchen, a small town in Bavaria. “As a SME, we have to make twice the efforts to attract and retain our employees for as long as possible, and in good health, in the company. Things are easier for large businesses in Mun

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