Well educated and yet less well paid and still in the minority in top positions - to put it bluntly, this is still the status quo in Germany when it comes to gender equality. At REWE Group, women can be found in management positions as well as in "typical male jobs". We spoke to some of them.
Nevertheless, according to a recent study by the Institute of Economic and Social Sciences (WSI) of the Hans Böckler Foundation, which is close to the trade unions, a lot has changed in terms of education throughout Germany since the early 1990s: more women are now doing A-levels or gaining a university entrance qualification than men. In addition, girls usually have better grades than boys. Many companies also want to see more women represented at all hierarchical levels and promote mixed teams. This includes the REWE Group, which has had a mentoring programme specifically for women called Women's Drive for years.
Nevertheless, sociologists have generally found that women's educational success does not translate into better pay and career success to the same extent as it does for men. One sign of this is Equal Pay Day, i.e. the day of the year until which women - in comparison to men - work without pay. This year, it fell on 7 March of all days - the day before International Women's Day. Nevertheless, it is slowly but surely moving forward.
One reason for the wage gap that is still opening up is that women continue to do a lot of unpaid work because they look after the household, children or relatives in need of care. Especially during the pandemic - as studies also show - many women have been pushed back into this role. While they juggled between remote work, childcare and housework, men on average concentrated much more on their jobs and left the organisation of the family to their mostly working wives. It was also usually women who reduced their working hours during the pandemic, for example to make up for the lack of childcare.
As a result, many women are stuck in traditional roles. There are many reasons for this. This makes it all the more important to focus on the growing number of women who are not concerned with traditional role models and expectations, but with their individual, professional and personal work-life balance. One way to encourage women to go their own way is to talk to those who have already done so. Here are some of them.
„There are leadership seminars, and there are leadership seminars for women. Why are there no leadership seminars for men?" “Agnieszka Brzezinska, store manager at Toom Baumarkt DIY store
Agnieszka Brzezinska (34) has been a store manager at Toom Baumarkt DIY store since 2017, and has been a base store manager at Toom in Troisdorf for a few months.
"What bothers me the most is when gender is always an issue, even actively pushed at work:for example, there are leadership seminars, and there are leadership seminars explicitly for women. Why are there no leadership seminars for men?
I always say: the results at the end of the year show whether you are managing a market well or not. There are many criteria. Revenue and profit, as well as employee and customer satisfaction. The result has to be right, regardless of gender.
A lot certainly also has to do with the industry. After studying international retail management, I initially worked for a large electrical company, where almost all the employees were men. I left back then because, as a young woman, I had no career opportunities or prospects. That really affected me. After that, I promised myself: I'll never let it come to that again! It's different at Toom. I've already made a big leap as a base store manager and the next step would be to become a regional sales manager.
Toom is very active and progressive when it comes to diversity and women in management, more and more female store managers are being appointed and I personally am particularly committed to promoting suitable female colleagues in my area. In this context, I also appreciate the work-life balance at Toom. And even if some colleagues may be irritated at first that I'm a woman managing a DIY store, this usually subsides very quickly and there is a great deal of mutual appreciation."
„You have to bring a thick skin“Joulina Gertlowski, prospective professional driver
Every day at the warehouse in Breuna, a petite 20-year-old climbs into the lorry alongside numerous men and drives her tour. Joulina Gertlowski is the first woman to train as a professional lorry driver in Breuna - with a healthy dose of self-confidence and pragmatism:
"Yes, I hear daft remarks from time to time. But I can deal with that. You have to have a thick skin. That's why I ignore it or counter with a comment. But most people who see me driving tell me: 'Respect, the way you do it'. My examiner at driving school was totally blown away by how I passed my driving test."
„Part-time employment allows me to combine my career and family“Daniela Aldenhoven, 35, Head of Category Management at Lekkerland
As Head of Category Management Formats at Lekkerland, Daniela Aldenhoven is responsible for the product range management of convenience shop formats such as REWE To Go
"Lekkerland enables me to work part-time as a mother and senior manager - and to develop myself further. At the beginning of this year, I took over the management of a new team. By working part-time, I can combine my career and family life.
My situation and the examples of other female colleagues are proof that women are specifically promoted at Lekkerland. It would be great if this could actually lead to an equal distribution of the sexes at all management levels in the coming years. At the same time, I would like to encourage all female colleagues to persevere in their efforts to reconcile family and career.
It was very rewarding that I was able to take part in 'Women's Drive' last year. This REWE Group programme supports women who have gained their first management experience. I was able to exchange ideas with colleagues from many other subsidiaries, listen to exciting presentations and learn new tools for my further development. It's good and important that something like this exists."
„We stick together“Nicole Hahn, PENNY store manager
Nicole Hahn has been managing the PENNY store in Thum since 2020. She leads a team of seven female employees. What is it like to manage an all-female team?
"We get along really well and stick together. I'm often asked if there isn't a lot of bickering among us. But that only happens very rarely - and when it does, I see it as my duty to mediate between the employees. It's important to me that there's a good atmosphere in the store. That's why I open the store with a smile in the morning. Because as you call into the forest, so it sounds out. When drawing up the duty rota, I make sure that there are always at least two of us on the late shift so that one employee never has to close the store alone in the evening. What possibly sets us apart from mixed teams: We attach great importance to ensuring that the entire market is always clean, tidy and beautifully decorated. We like to put up a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the run-up to Christmas and attach great importance to beautiful Easter decorations."
„Found the right model“Heidi Rajcsanyi is Principal Engineer, DevOps & APM, at REWE Systems
"I knew I wanted to study something to do with computer science when I did my A-levels and decided in favour of business informatics. During an internship, I learnt about the problems that arise when business economists and computer scientists don't communicate well and don't understand each other. That's why I specialised specifically in software development.
I have been working at REWE Systems since 2013. For almost a year now, I have been the disciplinary head of an all-male team. The position was advertised as part of Symphony. I saw the opportunity and took it. The fact that I'm one of the few women doesn't play any role at all in everyday life. No matter where you work in IT, the performance has to be right - regardless of gender. I don't have to jump higher than the others, but at least as high. But it would be desirable for more women and girls to be interested in IT. But in my opinion, this can only happen if we get them excited about the topics and explain better what the practical side of IT looks like.
Fortunately, I have also found the right model in my private environment. My husband has taken parental leave with us and now works part-time, while I have continued to work full-time. It was an exciting time, especially at the beginning, and we both had to grow into everyday family life with now two children. I wouldn't have been able to do this job without this support from home."
„It doesn't matter whether you're a man or a woman - the main thing is diversity“Lisa Marquardt, Product Owner Procurement Management in the Logistics, SCM and Production specialist domain.
"I studied maths when we women were already in the minority on the Master's degree course. There were always funny situations at university parties when people didn't want to believe that I was studying maths. Sometimes I just said: 'Yes, you're legal, I'm studying art history'. You're always perceived as an exotic student. But I could always laugh about it.
I then got an offer to work as a business analyst while I was still studying. I quickly realised that I wanted to work in a tangible industry like retail. That's how I came to REWE Systems and I'm glad to have arrived here. When the opportunity arose to take on overall responsibility for the procurement management product, I registered my interest and got the job.
To take on a management position, I need to have the confidence in myself that I can do it - regardless of whether I am a woman or a man.
My impression is that women need to be more self-confident in the face of previously unknown tasks. In my case, I had no previous experience in commercial management and still took the opportunity. It would also help if women in management positions made themselves visible. Because the more they are seen, the more women in management positions become the norm and the less weight is given to gender in management positions. Basically, however, it is simply the case that different people come together in a team in working life. It doesn't matter whether they are men or women - the main thing is diversity."
„Always meeting business partners at eye level is the be-all and end-all - once the respect is there, it stays there“Melanie Ackermann, Destination Manager of DER Travel and Tourism Destination Service AG on Djerba
Melanie Ackermann, (29), has been with DER Travel and Tourism in Tunisia since 2014 - initially as a tour guide, now as Destination Manager of DER Travel and Tourism Destination Service AG on Djerba and as support for Digital Content Management in Destination.
"Traditionally, it is still the case in Muslim Tunisia that men play a greater role in the workplace - even though the country is becoming increasingly modernised. People here are - still - not used to women working in management positions. Especially in the hotel industry. As a woman, you first have to earn the necessary respect and acceptance by presenting yourself confidently and competently. Once this step has been taken, you will also be respected in the long term. Working professionally is highly valued here.
When I became Destination Manager on Djerba at the age of 23 after one and a half years as a tour guide, it was unusual for the team there at first. It helped me a lot that I came from the hotel industry, so I had a good professional foundation. And I was very well received by the team here, we work together almost without words. There were never any problems in terms of authority, even if it was new for my colleagues at first. I was put to the test a few times..
In the rare awkward situations where business partners make allusions to my age or gender, I react firmly and professionally. I never allow myself to be unsettled and always remain on an equal footing - because the saying 'As the voice in the forest says, so it comes back' could almost be described as a motto for life here.
I love my varied working day with its constant new challenges and I've also found happiness in my private life on Djerba. I have arrived."
„Get to know the company's structures and work processes as early as possible“Özge Calis, Head of Logistics Service & Administration
"I work in logistics at REWE West. I'm still one of the younger colleagues in the management team there, but I'm no longer the only woman. When I started in my role as Training Coordinator in 2015, I still was.
From 2016 to 2018, I completed my Master's degree in Human Resource Management while working. I now train apprentices myself and realise time and again how helpful it is to get to know the structures and work processes of our company as early as possible. You can benefit from the structures, and not just in your day-to-day work. I became pregnant a good two years ago. In my private life, I have heard stories from time to time that employers are not particularly helpful in such situations. When I told my line manager about my pregnancy, he was very happy for me.
During my maternity leave, my position was split between three colleagues. in 2018 and 19, I also took over the areas of logistics administration and service. So there was a lot to do. I came back six months ago and have been working in exactly the same way since then. Except that there are now more women in the management team."
„We women can be braver and more career-orientated“Randi Baum, Head of PMO Cooperation Models Independent Retailers in the REWE retailers division
"The new role will bring new challenges for me: I'll also work on my standing there again and network at a new level. Networking is important. This is a key insight for me from the cross-mentoring programme 'With women in leadership', which I was able to take part in last year. Simply being able to think outside the box and exchange ideas with experienced people - also from other companies - has helped me a lot in my development. This also includes reflecting and positioning yourself. We women can be more courageous and career-orientated. That's my second realisation from cross-mentoring. Studies show that women often only plan their careers until their early 30s, after which it remains vague. Men plan very precisely until retirement age. This may have something to do with traditional role models. But career and family can be reconciled! REWE has good models for this - keyword sharing. But we could expand these even further. Women would currently benefit most from this, but it is also becoming increasingly interesting for men. Rethinking work-life balance in this way is a key aspect for more women in management. "
„Leadership is also becoming more female at REWE, there are more and more role models“Pia Leimbach, Head of Business Insights Market Research
Pia Leimbach has been a manager at REWE Group for nine years.
"My understanding of leadership? I see myself as a coach. I want to create the conditions for my team to do a good job. For example, through a value-orientated culture as a basis and a vision for the direction, but also by empowering and strengthening autonomy. During the pandemic and in worrying times, many things are upside down, leading to anxiety and stress. That's why I've introduced rituals that help us as a team to strengthen resilience. Every day, we meet in a short team meeting to clarify questions, but also so that we don't lose sight of each other - in the truest sense of the word. On Thursdays, everyone is asked to share their 'highlight of the week': What successes were there, who would I like to give positive feedback to? The role of leadership is changing and is also dependent on the area. In market research, we create knowledge as a team with customers and partners. It's about shaping and developing, which requires agility. And leadership is also becoming more female at REWE, there are more and more role models. This also inspires other women to take the lead. I think mutual support is extremely important here. REWE has great programmes for this. Last year, I passed on my experience in the cross-mentoring programme 'With women in leadership'. Thanks to the cross-company focus, I was also able to exchange experiences with mentors from other companies and think outside the box."
„Be brave, believe in yourself and leave no room for prejudice“Ulrike Zanker, Head of Merchandise, responsible for REWE purchasing in the dry goods division 1
"I don't really like comparisons and I don't see any reason for prejudice. I grew up with two older brothers, so I learnt early on to assert myself. I've never experienced not achieving or accomplishing something just because I'm a woman.
Women have a different approach and a different view of things than men. One approach is not better than the other. In combination, it is very enriching. I started my career in market research, which required an analytical and mathematical focus. Over time, my path led me into purchasing. I really enjoy my current role in merchandise, which for me is at the heart of retail. I experience the business from the operational side, but I can also take a strategic perspective and think outside the box.
Women tend to be very self-critical. But if you believe in yourself, go your own way and achieve your goals, you radiate that. This takes away the room for prejudice. Companies like REWE can only benefit if there are more women in management positions and we become more diverse."
MORE ON THE TOPIC OF WOMEN IN THE REWE GROUP
Interview with regional manager Tina Mangold: "We can't afford to give away this potential"
Ilse Holzer, CFO Billa Czech Republic: "Women only have one obstacle"
Interview with Operations Manager Verena Hammer: "I'm not the typical female boss"
Katrin Feiertag and Kathrin Bräuer in conversation: It's up to the (buying) woman
