Responsibility as an employer

The efforts and enthusiasm of our ­employees are the foundation for the ­success of VP Bank Group. Therefore we feel it is important for us to support our employees individually. 

VP Bank recognises its responsibility as an employer, as it creates modern and attractive working conditions. Each person’s ability to perform depends as much on motivation and health as the work environment. VP Bank seeks to attract and retain the best talent by offering attractive career opportunities and extensive continuing education options.

Motivated and well-trained employees exhibit a service- oriented approach, competency and openness to their clients. That requires, among other factors, a work envi­ronment in which all employees feel welcome and are encouraged. VP Bank offers them the space to develop and implement their own ideas. It motivates them to ­perform at an above-average level while offering future prospects as well as training and continuing education possi­bilities. By creating and securing skilled jobs, VP Bank allows people to make a living and enjoy a high quality of life. 

More information is available in the section “Employees” (➔ page 46 f.).

VP Bank promotes the sustainable use of tap water and supports drinking water projects in developing countries. “Drink & Donate” is a non-profit association that promotes consumption of tap water over bottled water. VP Bank supports the association with a substantial annual contri­bution. 

The National Future Day was held in Switzerland and Liechtenstein again in 2019. On this day, many companies will open their doors and give pupils in the 5th to 7th grades the opportunity to discover the world of work through practical experiences. In this way, the National Future Day contributes to broadening the career choice horizon and future prospects of girls and boys and to taking their future into their own hands.

During the year under review, VP Bank participated in the National Future Day for the seventh time and opened its doors on 14 November 2019. Some 30 young people arrived in the morning with many questions and received comprehensive information about VP Bank. In the morning the students were given some interesting facts about our company by VP Bank’s apprentices and were able to get to know the processes of the individual departments. In the afternoon, together with their reference person, they learned quite a bit about the daily work routine. Looking over their shoulders, they gained exciting insights into the world of banking.

The highlights in 2019 were again the tour of the vault and the trading room, the disassembly and reassembly of a PC and a video conference between the Vaduz and Triesen locations.

In Liechtenstein, the VP Bank Sport Club was founded in 1974 to encourage employees to participate in sports and socialize. The club organises numerous activities that are available either free of charge or at significantly discounted prices. These activities include spinning, alpine skiing, nordic skiing, tennis, nordic walking, bowling, golf, mini-golf, ping pong, soccer tournaments, hiking, Pilates, self-defence courses and sport weekends. 

Much information is available on VP Bank’s intranet on the topics “Fit in the Workplace”, “Promoting Health through Movement” and “Healthy Eating”. Stress checks and ergonomic tips for desk jobs with computers as well as accident prevention are among the topics. Employees receive rebates on the purchase of skis and snowboards and other outdoor gear as well as discounts on massages, fitness centres, chiropractic treatment, dance lessons and eyeglasses for the workplace. VP Bank in Liechtenstein also offers its employees the opportunity to get a massage during the workday. The massages are specifically designed to address employee needs and problems in the office. Since 2019, our employees at the Vaduz and Triesen sites have also had free fruit at their disposal. 

The Volunteering Day introduced in late 2015 continues to generate considerable interest. Since it was introduced, more than 130 employees have performed charitable work in the social, educational or ecological/environmental fields. The bank gives each employee one day per year to participate in charitable work. The feedback from both the participating employees as well as the institutions on the receiving end of this volunteer work has been overwhelmingly positive. 

VP Bank supports the “Villa Wirbelwind“ project in Liechtenstein, a children’s day care centre jointly operated by Liechtenstein banks. The “Villa Wirbelwind“ provides high-quality, professional childcare, thereby creating optimal conditions for reconciling family and work life. At “Villa Wirbelwind“, children between the ages of four months and the start of kindergarten whose parents are employees of member banks and the Liechtenstein Banking Association may attend the daycare centre, regardless of their hometown.

Diversity and equal opportunity create a solid foundation for the development of closer relations between VP Bank and its employees and its external stakeholders. VP Bank affirms diversity at every employee and management level. Such diversity at the company ensures that the decision-makers are put in a position where they engage in constructive questioning are more open to innovative ideas. 

Employees and managers are hired strictly on the basis of their qualifications without regard for age, gender, sexual orientation or nationality. VP Bank offers all employees equal opportunities for employment and promotions. The assessment of an employee’s work performance is carried out in a fair, objective and transparent manner. 

Whenever possible, employees with long-term illnesses are reintegrated into the work flow with professional support.

At 31.12.2019, VP Bank had 40.5 per cent female employees (2018: 41.5 per cent). Since 2017, a woman has also been represented on the Group Executive Board.