Social involvement

Diversity plays an important role at Heraeus, and not just in our products. Each of our about 13,000 employees worldwide is an individual. This variety in our products, markets and people is a decisive factor in the company’s success. To underscore this position, Heraeus has signed the Diversity Charter from the Federal Ministry of Migration, Refugees and Integration. This means that the company has agreed to create a workplace free from discrimination. We value the diversity of our employees, customers and business partners, and underline the importance of a workplace free of discrimination and harassment in our global Code of Conduct. All employees are treated with respect without regard to national, racial or ethnic origin, gender, religion or worldview, as well as disability, sexual identity or age.

As a family-owned enterprise with operations all over the world, we take our responsibility for the next generation seriously. We offer employees’ children between the ages of 15 and 18 the opportunity to learn about other cultures and to develop global friendships at an early age. Our Meet the Family international exchange program allows children of employees to spend two weeks living with another Heraeus family and learning about the local Heraeus presence in places like South Africa or the USA, Asia or Europe. Heraeus uses this program to make young people aware of differences and similarities in cultures, to encourage their openness to the world and tolerance, and to contribute to a culture that values diversity and global unity.

Heraeus has committed to two programs to encourage women to enter the scientific and technical professions. The company participates in Germany’s national Girls’ Day. Girls aged 12 and over spend the day at Heraeus learning all about the company and, for example, about the processing and properties of high-purity quartz glass. Company trainees tell interested girls about training and education at Heraeus, and participants can even try their hands at specific tasks.

Heraeus supports women who have already decided to study science and technology through the Hessen Mentoring Network. Since 2005, Heraeus mentors have regularly advised mentees on a volunteer basis. Women with work experience at Heraeus guide their mentees for a year and advise them on important questions about starting a career. Mentees gain valuable help and Heraeus benefits too, as the program builds a relationship with the next generation of qualified workers.

Heraeus is currently training nearly 300 young people of various school backgrounds. Every year, more than 90 young men and women start their training at Heraeus in Germany. They learn to use the latest technology, work in teams and are advised by individual training leaders. The young people can currently choose from among 16 state-recognized diplomas. This includes dual majors, in which vocational training is combined with a university degree. We want to be able to offer an opportunity for a qualified position to every youth whose applications have been unsuccessful up until now. To that end, Heraeus offers a one-year practicum in the company to secondary school students who have not been granted an internship. If they complete it successfully, the students have the opportunity to enter the regular training program.

Heraeus is proud of its employees’ skills. Their capability and readiness to serve should also benefit society. We encourage and support our employees who commit to volunteering. Dr. Jürgen Heraeus, great-grandson of the company founder and current Chairman of the Supervisory Board, sets a good example. When the German UNICEF Committee was in crisis in 2008, Dr. Heraeus offered his help. Since April, he has served as the volunteer Chair of the German UNICEF Committee. Other members of the Heraeus family also dedicate themselves to socially responsible initiatives and are active in the Heraeus foundations.

45 Heraeus employees exchanged one day of work at the Heraeus factory in Bitterfeld for a day of community service, and spent the day working outside in front of the "Farbklecks" daycare in the Wolfen neighborhood. Using shovels, scoops and all manner of garden tools, the employees worked hard to transform an area of bare concrete into a nature paradise for children. There were many tasks to complete in one day: for example, approximately 100 tons of topsoil was spread, 100 bushes and an herb garden were planted and a 21m3 sandbox was put in.

The idea for this Heraeus community service day came from Christian Nasarow, plant manager at the Bitterfeld location. “The underlying idea originated in the US. There, almost every firm contributes to its community in some way at least one day per year,” said Nasarow as he explained the idea of companies going out in their communities.

“The idea came into being last February after we donated money for a new kitchen. We then decided to help the 'Farbklecks' daycare not only by contributing financially, but also by participating in an actual hands-on project,” said Nasarow. He describes the project with excitement: “The diverse team worked wonderfully together. Each member came with his or her individual capabilities and regardless of whether an employee was from management or production, for this project everyone was on equal footing. Consequently, we saw amazing results in a very short time.”