With the “because we care” platform, BUWOG is investing in a new service for its employees: (from right) Sonja Steinmetz, Head of HR Management, and Sabine Böhm-Besim, HR Management employee at BUWOG, present the latest addition to the company benefits.

Regular internal surveys provide information concerning satisfaction and workplace culture
Further developments in the area of work-life balance and benefits for employees strengthen BUWOG as an employer brand
Platform “because we care” the latest addition to BUWOG’s benefits

As a company that employs nearly 400 people, it is especially important to BUWOG to create a working environment in which people feel comfortable every day and can work in the best possible way. However, a modern workplace, flexible working hours and mobile working as well as a variety of further training opportunities are by no means everything that plays a role in creating a positive working environment. “On the one hand, our responsibility as an employer is to offer the best conditions for our employees and to keep motivation high in our teams and among the individual employees, but on the other hand to also meet individual requirements and always be prepared to listen when it comes different needs,” BUWOG Managing Director Kevin Töpfer says. BUWOG regularly conducts employee surveys in order to respond specifically to the changing needs of the workforce and obtain an up-to-date picture of employee sentiment. These enable the company to gain insights into employee satisfaction, identify potential for improvement and, if necessary, quickly derive measures to optimise working conditions.

The latest survey was conducted last autumn under the name “Puls Check” (“Pulse Check”). With a participation rate of 88 percent, the survey’s response level was gratifyingly high, which underscores the relevance and interest of the respondents in the topics surveyed. In addition to questions concerning general satisfaction – e.g. the statement “All in all, I can say that this is a very good place to work” received 91 percent approval – suggestions for improvement were also made. For example, it was noted that greater flexibility would be desirable, for example by further extending the home office arrangement. “Our aim is to advance sustainable corporate development at every level. Our employees are the most important foundation for this. We are therefore especially delighted with the positive result of the so-called “Pulse Check”, as it is a direct confirmation of our employees. We are also making use of the feedback to adapt offers and processes,” says Sonja Steinmetz, director of HR Management at BUWOG.

Together into the future

However, the positive results of the employee survey and the various awards and certifications – such as kununu Top Company, Great Place to Work and Career & Family – that BUWOG has received in recent years are no reason to rest on our laurels. “There are always opportunities for even further improvement, and as a secure and reliable employer, BUWOG will take advantage of these. Due to numerous crises, the past few years have been a challenge for many in everyday working life. Managing to ensure that our employees always feel comfortable at work is a genuine team effort,” Kevin Töpfer says. “As a company that lives and breathes innovation and further development at all levels, in the future, too, we will continue to be fully committed to BUWOG and the needs of our employees,” Töpfer adds.

Platform “because we care” the latest addition to BUWOG’s benefits

For BUWOG, it is important not only to support employees in their professional development, but also to stand by them in personally challenging life situations. For this reason, the offer has been expanded to include a new cooperation that provides information and support on the important topic of caring for relatives. The “because we care” platform gives BUWOG employees access to information on long-term and acute care, dementia, care leave, part-time care leave, family hospice leave and rehabilitation leave with just a few clicks. Special checklists also ensure that nothing is overlooked when a care situation arises and the exchange and networking with other people affected via the app enables tips and experiences to be shared. With the online “because we care” guide, BUWOG aims to provide professional support and advice on care issues. “As an employer, we not only want to offer services for work and leisure but also provide holistic support for health issues and general well-being. With this new offer, our aim is once again to help create an appreciative and supportive working environment. The cooperation with ‘because we care’ is intended to provide further assistance, as we know that caring for relatives can be an emotional and physical burden,” Sonja Steinmetz says. Andreas Gruber, co-founder of “because we care” adds: “Due to demographic development, the compatibility of care-giving and employment is also growing steadily in relevance for Austria’s employers. We are very pleased that by implementing “because we care” for its care-giving employees, BUWOG Group GmbH is calling attention to the issue of reconciling care and employment in Austria's corporate landscape and with the “together with us” platform is raising awareness about this socially critical topic.”