Our volunteering programmes provide help where help is needed
Our employees are given the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities for a certain period of time. The conditions under which they may do so were extended during the corona crisis, generously and unbureaucratically. Through volunteering, we live one of the core values of CSS: solidarity.
Employee volunteering activities
By the end of 2023, some 200 employees had performed a total of 400 days’ volunteer work. Among other things, as part of a mentoring programme launched by Caritas Lucerne, they provided support to people who have fled Ukraine. Numerous teams will be setting off to lend a hand again this year.
Armed with pitchforks and rakes
The management team of the Clients & Market division helped out the Waldvogels, a farming family in Arth, canton Zug. Armed with pitchforks and rakes, the team of six set off into steep terrain to clear the pasture of wood debris, making it free again for the animals. In the afternoon, they cut thorn bushes and disposed of them further down in the woods. Farmer Jolanda Waldvogel was impressed: "They've shown that office workers are also willing to get their hands dirty. Without their support, this work would have taken us several days."
Helping out in the forest
Michael Rieger, Head of Innovation Operations & Portfolio, helped out with a mountain forest project in the Entlebuch region last summer. At 7.30 am precisely on six days in late summer, the helpers were ready to get to work in the mountain forest, much of which had been destroyed by a storm. Before the mechanical forestry work could begin, it was necessary to clear the forest of fallen timber and create walking paths. The band of volunteers was a mixed bunch. "I definitely wanted to go into a new environment where I could meet people I wouldn't normally encounter otherwise," said Michael Rieger afterwards.
Working up a sweat on the slopes
Our Corporate Publishing team also spent a late summer's day in the great outdoors, far from the office and day-to-day business. They helped out a farming family, the Küchlers, in Luthern, canton Lucerne. They cleared a steep slope of shrubs and small trees in sweltering temperatures. Farmer Erwin Küchler was delighted with their efforts.