7 years with HBI was a great experience
Gut am Arbeitgeber finde ich
There are many good things about the company and the people working at HBI Haerter as stated in the topics above.
Verbesserungsvorschläge
The office space in Seebach could be improved.
Arbeitsatmosphäre
The atmosphere is generally very light and easy. Even under periods of higher work load or deadlines, people are friendly, in a good mood and find time to laugh over a coffee.
Kommunikation
The board and partners make an effort to communicate well, on things related to the firm and the business.
Directly work related communication and knowledge sharing is also very good, as long as you make an effort to find the right person.
Kollegenzusammenhalt
The collegiality is very good. Lunchtime is typically spent together, everyone sitting around one table in the break room. The teamwork is excellent, with no hidden agendas or work place games to get ahead. Knowledge is happily shared between employees.
Work-Life-Balance
The firm currently requires that everyone spends at least 3 days per week in the office, leaving 2 days for home office. The firm uses flex-hours, and is generally very flexible when it comes to how each individual organizes their work schedule, as long as the the productivity is not lacking.
The holidays amount to 5 weeks, plus xmas holidays between xmas and new years, amounting to roughly 6 weeks in total. The 5 weeks can be chosen very freely, and very spontaneously if the workload allows for it.
Every year the company invites to one summer event and one Xmas event – both are typically very nice. For 5 and 10-year company anniversaries, the firm invites to trips with emphasis solely on having a good time, entirely without lectures or workshops.
During my time with the firm, the xmas gift from the company has every year included 200 francs worth of REKA-checks and a case with nice bottles of wine.
Vorgesetztenverhalten
The bosses are knowledgeable and respectful. Discussion is promoted and constructive criticism is well received. They happily spend time helping or informing on any topic.
Interessante Aufgaben
If you make an effort to get varying work tasks, this is also possible. Writing reports, modelling, conducting on-site tests, planning and execution of safety exercises, travelling, keeping customer relations and presenting as seminars are all part of the job, if you want it to be. It is all a result of what you make of the job, and how you communicate with the managers and make your wishes heard.
Gleichberechtigung
I find the company to make no difference whatsoever due to any individual’s race, sex, age or otherwise. The treatment and professional evaluation of each person is based solely on individual performance.
The office has people with roots in Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Italy, France, Finland and Denmark, in ages 25 to 60, of all sexes.
Umgang mit älteren Kollegen
Older colleagues are not treated differently, other than that their knowledge and expertise is relied upon more.
Arbeitsbedingungen
The office language is German, but people happily switch to english if the situation calls for it.
The company is extremely accomodating when it comes to individual wishes regarding office hardware. This does not only include computer, screens and headphones, but also every type of ergonomic work station support, such as ergo keypads, mouse, office chair and desk.
The office has a lounge area, a well equipped kitchen, and a shower. A space is provided for training clothes for bike commuters and people who do lunch time exercise.
Every Monday there are Gipfelis. Always free tea, coffee and fruit. Every few weeks, the firm invites for take-out, typically from a local italian place. Very often, there’s a chocolate storage. In summer, the fridge is often packed with ice cream.
Free parking just outside the building.
Gehalt/Sozialleistungen
The firm offers a good job, and the salary is fair.
The company pension contributions are slightly above typical.
Annual bonus corresponding to roughly 0.5-1 whole monthly salary, during my time.
From personal experience, the firm is understanding and accommodating, when it comes to longer sick leave absence.
Image
Within the underground infrastructure business community, the image of the firm is very good.
Karriere/Weiterbildung
Continuing education is not offered in house, other than what is learned through project versatility, but is typicall supported and paid for, when asked for, as long as somewhat beneficial for the company.
The company structure is flat. In addition, the company is not very large (SME/KMU). This means that a career by moving up in the hierarchy is difficult.