Interview with Valérie Schelker
Shaping the transformation together
During this transformational era, Swiss Post is introducing new job profiles, creating attractive workplaces in all regions and supporting its staff in their professional development. This approach ensures that staff can help Swiss Post to tackle the challenges of the future.
Valérie Schelker, as Head of Human Resources, how do you find the changes in Swiss Post’s working environment?
They’re exciting, challenging – and offer a wide range of new opportunities. For example, in 2023, we started training the first apprentices in our new Digital Business job profile. In Informatics, we need data ethics specialists. Intelligent software makes it easier to create texts and presentations. And our parcel carriers plan their delivery rounds dynamically via a mobile phone app. We support our staff in the transformation, but we also expect them to stay on the ball in their professional development.
How is Swiss Post guiding its employees through this transformation?
As Switzerland’s third largest employer, it is our job to support and encourage our staff in their development. In Logistics Services, we’ve launched the “Andiamo!” programme, offering assistance with a wide range of issues, including hiring and inducting employees, further development and internal job changes. As part of our policy of opening our network to external partners, our branch staff are learning to provide customers with comprehensive advice. Many employees want to take responsibility for their own development, which makes us feel confident about the future.
Swiss Post is also systematically improving its efficiency – how do these things go together?
It’s people who make Swiss Post what it is, not machines. That’s why we’re investing in attractive, modern employment conditions and development for our staff.
At the same time, we have to be economically efficient – just like any other company. Our task is to find a good balance. We’re also looking for new solutions when it comes to our working environment: by 2030, we want to merge today’s decentralized office spaces in 40 locations into around 12 regional office hubs. We’re reducing commuting times and creating attractive local workspaces. And by making better use of our office capacity, we’re saving on costs and resources.
We support our staff in the transformation, but we also expect them to stay on the ball in their professional development.
How will the changes affect Swiss Post’s organization?
Very directly. Swiss Post cannot be successful in the long term unless it evolves in line with its customers’ needs. Wherever demand among people and companies grows, Swiss Post expands. And wherever demand disappears or changes, Swiss Post removes or updates its services. As such, Swiss Post’s working environment is constantly in motion. New profiles are being created, and different skills are required. We’re supporting our staff during this transformation – in their current roles or their transition to new ones. That’s also part of our social and societal responsibility. With over 100 different professions, we offer a wide variety of training and development opportunities in-house.
What unites Swiss Post’s diverse working environment?
We see diversity as an enrichment and opportunity. It goes without saying that our employees in PostBus, logistics, PostFinance and development of digital solutions in the communication market face different challenges. That’s why we also have individual solutions for different professional groups. But they all have a great deal in common: shared goals and values, a shared culture. That’s what unites Swiss Post’s diverse workforce.