
The works council meeting of RZO/REWE Systems under the motto "50 years of the works council" took place in Cologne's Tanzbrunnen and for the hybrid regions. The new works council, the representative body for severely disabled employees and the Divisional Directors were unanimous: sustainability goes hand in hand with continuous development.
The RZO/REWE Systems works council meeting under the motto "50 years of the works council" took place both in person at the Tanzbrunnen in Cologne and as a hybrid event for the regions: While 340 employees took part on site, up to 500 people joined in via livestream at times.
The new works council introduces itself.
Driving change and development while representing the interests of colleagues - these are the core values that guide the newly elected works council. Board member Harald Zorn puts it in a nutshell: "Business should serve people and not the other way round. Together, we are there for you, for the people of REWE Group." The young but already very experienced colleague Philipp Ruland, who is stepping down from his position as Chairman of the Youth and Trainee Representation (JAV) in order to focus on his new role as the first substitute member, is also joining the works council for the first time.
In addition to participating in discussions on company integration management (BEM) and the career and succession planning process (KNP) for REWE Systems, the Smarter Working Office Programme (SWOP) has also been an important cornerstone of the Works Council's work over the past year. The works council, chaired by Sylvia Wendland and Maik Esser, is also currently working on REWE Systems' new salary development system.
Financially well positioned, with an eye on crises
Telerik Shishmanov presents the latest figures.
According to Telerik Schischmanow, Divisional Director Retail Germany, REWE Group is in a good financial position and is emerging stronger from the coronavirus crisis. "This would not have been possible without our fantastic and highly skilled employees. We must continue to invest sensibly in the future and continue to support and challenge people in order to meet the challenges ahead," says Shishmanov. The war in Ukraine is now overshadowing REWE Group's business activities. The Divisional Director Retail Germany gave a brief outlook in turbulent times: "Inflation is rising rapidly and nobody knows where it will lead. We are currently only thinking in scenarios so that we are well prepared for all situations that may arise and can continue to operate according to plan. Despite the crisis, investments in digitalisation and standardisation will remain focused in order to remain fit for the future."
Employer positioning and staff turnover: Tackling the future
Works Council Chairmen Maik Esser (left) and Sylvia Wendland (right) give an insight into the current work of the Works Council.
The more than 2,200 employees of REWE Systems and the Holding attest to REWE Group's high attractiveness as an employer with an average length of service of 11.1 and 12.7 years respectively. "Nevertheless, we are currently experiencing a slight increase in staff turnover, particularly in the Systems division. We therefore need to position ourselves even better in the fight against the shortage of skilled workers," explains Dr Daniela Büchel in her role as Divisional Director Retail Germany Human Resources (HR) and Sustainability. However, HR also includes employee development: In addition to the current Learning.catalogue 2022, which focuses on "Shaping collaboration", Büchel announced the IT Learning Hub for the coming year, which is intended to promote self-organised learning.
Social coexistence and sustainable management
In addition to donations in kind and money for the war refugees from Ukraine and those affected by last year's flood disaster, many REWE Group employees from the flood area are also being helped directly with monetary donations for reconstruction. "Co-operation within REWE Group is not only evident in the diversity and variety that is practised, but also when it comes to actively helping," reports Büchel.
In response to a question from an employee as to whether increased remote work does not also contribute to climate protection due to the savings in commuting, Daniela Büchel, who is also responsible for Sustainability, replied: "Of course CO2 emissions can be saved here. But that also happens when you cycle or take the train to work. We need to keep the sense of community in mind and find a good way to strengthen collegial cohesion and continue to enable remote work."
Future viability goes hand in hand with major changes
Divisional Director Customer, Analytics & Technology, Christoph Eltze, points out the dissolving boundary between retailers and technology companies: More and more original brick-and-mortar retailers are becoming technology-driven companies and technology companies are increasingly also becoming retailers. "Technology is an absolute game changer when it comes to the future viability of companies. That's why we invest almost 1 billion euros per year in all of REWE Group's IT units," says Eltze. The current focus is on making the cooperation between REWE Systems and REWE digital even better and bundling competences and processes. --- Read the interview with Christoph Eltze here
"There for you"
Monika Rohde, deputy representative of the representative body for severely disabled employees.
Severely disabled colleagues of all backgrounds can benefit from the wealth of experience with applications through to applicant management. Monika Rohde, Deputy Representative of the Representative Body for Severely Disabled Employees (SBV), referred to the wide-ranging support of the SBV and outlined the inclusion agreement: It is intended to help people to achieve a workplace organisation and design that is suitable for them and, with its holistic approach, replaces the integration agreement of 2002.
Healthy for the future
Bianca van Wijnen emphasises the importance of physical and mental health: "Take advantage of our offers".
Bianca van Wijnen, Head of CoE Health and Innovation, considers the physical and mental health of all colleagues to be an important issue. She referred to the numerous offers within REWE Group:
"Do you know how long you normally wait for an initial consultation without REWE Group's offers if you're not feeling well? Seven months! So take advantage of the services offered by our partner BAD, where you will receive a call back within 48 hours and an initial consultation within a few days," says van Wijnen.
This works meeting shows once again that change and new ideas not only contribute to a growing, modern company, but also ensure its future viability.