On 10 October, Hymer participated in the nationwide “Job Swap” Action Day, initiated by the Liebenau Foundation, which involves company employees swapping jobs with workers from Workshops for People with Disabilities (WfbM) for a day to learn more about the working environment of the other person. The aim of the initiative is to help people overcome any prejudices they may have towards the WfbM and to promote interaction between people who rarely come into contact with one another in everyday life. During the course of the day, Hymer provided insights into the work carried out in Parts Installation at the site in Bad Waldsee.
“The ‘Job Swap’ Action Day is particularly important for us to reduce any fears people may have of coming into contact with those who are different from us, and to promote inclusion at the workplace,” explains Markus Dorner, Commercial Director of Hymer GmbH & Co. KG. “We want to raise awareness of diversity, as well as the skills and abilities of people with disabilities. Our company’s Representative Council for Employees with Disabilities is also actively committed to this.”
Alexander Piltaver, a junior foreman in Parts Installation at Hymer GmbH & Co. KG, participated in the job swap. In the morning, he demonstrated the work he does in pre-assembling parts and components for installation in the vehicles. After a joint lunch, they headed over to the workplace in WfbM Rosenharz. “It was fascinating to show them what we do ourselves, while also gaining insights into the WfbM. A successful day with lots of new experiences and impressions!” says Alexander Piltaver following this invaluable day of work.
Promoting diversity and inclusion: The role of the Representative Council for Employees with Disabilities at Hymer GmbH & Co. KG
The integration and support of people with disabilities is an important part of social responsibility and a particular concern of Hymer GmbH & Co. KG. The representative body for severely disabled employees (SBV) is an indispensable part of promoting diversity and inclusion within the company. ‘We support the implementation of legal regulations, promote age-appropriate workplaces and thus strengthen participation in working life,’ says Bojan Kokolj, Chairman of the SBV at Hymer GmbH & Co. KG. ‘We are not only a point of contact for our employees, but also play a key role in anchoring diversity and inclusion in our corporate culture.’ The representative body for severely disabled employees also promotes the integration of (severely) disabled people into the company. It also represents their interests vis-à-vis the employer and provides them with advice and support.
WfbM – Building bridges between working environments and professional participation for all
The Workshops for People with Disabilities are a vital component of professional participation in Germany. Thanks to the Action Day they have launched, they provide companies and their employees with the opportunity to gain insights into the working world of the workshops, and to actively participate in their work processes. At the same time, those who work in the workshops are given the opportunity to learn more about a company operating within the general labour market for a day, and to gain new experiences for their day-to-day work.
Note on the picture: from left to right: Christian Eble (Liebenau Foundation), Alexander Piltaver (Junior Master Craftsman in parts installation at Hymer GmbH & Co. KG), Patrick Eggert (Liebenau Foundation), Irina Weiß (Human Resources BGM & Social at Hymer GmbH & Co. KG), Bojan Kokolj (Chairman of the SBV at Hymer GmbH & Co. KG), Johann Hecht (Deputy of the SBV at Hymer GmbH & Co. KG)
