Salzburg AG

Winning Year: 2011, 2010
Industry: Energy and Infrastructure
Location: Salzburg, Austria
Website: www.salzburg-ag.at
Employees: 2,136; Percentage over age 50: 34.2

Salzburg AG has adopted a life-cycle approach to employee management through project GENERA, an initiative that aims to accompany employees through different phases of their lifetime at the workplace. Salzburg AG further places significant emphasis on health promotion. Giving Energy-Living Energy, an initiative created to help address critical fields of action identified by employees, has led to a variety of recreational offerings ranging from Qigong classes to smoking-cessation and healthy cooking programs. Salzburg AG also runs Health Circles, a program aiming to solicit older employees' feedback and suggestions on how to improve the workplace.

See also: How the 2011 Best Employers winners were selected.

Lifelong Learning and Training: Lifelong learning and training is an integral part of Salzburg AG's Genera-Generation-Management program. The Genera program is designed to accompany all employees through their careers at Salzburg. There is no age limit for any of Salzburg's educational or training opportunities.

Special programs are available for new employees, to help develop leadership abilities and give support. New hires may also participate in mentoring programs with older workers. Staff members participate in a specialized knowledge transfer program prior to retirement, to ensure critical information is properly passed down.

Courses are designed to benefit older workers who may not enjoy a typical classroom. They offer a broad range of programs and courses specifically designed for the needs of the employees. Three separate approaches are taken to explain new tools and techniques: on-the-job training; off-the-job training; and courses.

Flexible Work Arrangements: Salzburg AG offers over 100 time systems, such as tele-working and partial retirement, allowing employees to adjust their work schedules to balance their home life. Salzburg AG's HR department works with employees facing difficult situations, such as a sick spouse or child, to construct a schedule that will allow them to balance the challenges they face. The flexible time models are available to all employees, regardless of age.

Sabbaticals are also extended to all employees, with three available models: off-record sabbaticals; educational or training sabbaticals; or sabbaticals for family issues.

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