“The work environment is evolving all the time. As a result, new demands are placed on employees in terms of their competencies, knowledge and skills at an accelerating pace,” explains Stephan Walliser, Head of Human Resources at Baloise Switzerland. At the beginning of 2020, Baloise initially launched a pilot project that allowed employees in the group life business to use up to 10 per cent of their working hours for education purposes. Based on the positive experience gathered during this test phase, Baloise decided to enable all employees in Switzerland to dedicate up to 10 per cent of their working hours to learning from 2021.

This percentage should be regarded as a guideline that can be adjusted depending on the development needs and circumstances of individual employees. “The new arrangement is intended to empower and encourage employees to consciously take time to develop their knowledge and skills and to share what they’ve learned with others,” says Christine Bourson, the project manager in charge of this initiative. Baloise wants to make learning a natural part of the work routine. Employees and their line manager will jointly discuss and define development goals and suitable professional development measures. These can range from using a learning platform or engaging with colleagues to gain a deeper understanding of a specific topic to attending external courses or enrolling in a specialised training programme. Each employee is responsible for driving forward their development process and using their education time effectively.

During the Simply Safe – Season 2 strategic phase, Baloise is aiming to become one of the best companies to work for in Europe by 2025. This endeavour is based on the firm belief that content and committed employees ultimately make for more satisfied customers. The unique Baloise culture that Baloise’s employees help to shape gives the Company a significant competitive edge. Baloise uses a diverse and multilayered set of initiatives – such as the introduction of paid time dedicated to learning – to send a clear signal to the labour market with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of developing employees.