People at NORDSEE
We stand for diversity & many years of service
At NORDSEE, around 6,000 employees currently work in 372 branches; 175 of the employees are apprentices. The majority of the workforce is female (81%) and one in five NORDSEE employees has a migrant background. At 22%, employees with a Turkish passport are clearly in the majority, followed by Italian employees (6%) and Serbian and Polish employees (5% each). Our age structure shows a good mix: The age groups 20-30, 30-40, 40-50 and 50+ each account for about 20%; about 5% of our employees are older than 60, and the other 15% are younger than 20 years.
At NORDSEE, flexibility and work-life balance are very important. Most NORDSEE employees (75%) work part-time. We value employee retention.So 74% of employment contracts are not limited-term contracts.
NORDSEE employees are satisfied and identify with the company, which can be seen, among other things, by their long service. 42% of employees in Germany, for example, work for NORDSEE for ten years or more. Those numbers are far above the industry average.
NORDSEE is a reliable employer. For apprentices as well. Apprentices who finish the program well even receive an advance employment guarantee.
NORDSEE is diverse: Signing of the “Diversity Charter” on June 11, 2013 in Berlin. Minister of State, Prof. Dr. Maria Böhmer, Member of the Supervisory Board Hiltrud Seggewiß and Chairman of the Diversity Charter e. V. Ana-Christina Grohnert (from left to right)
We gladly and emphatically support the integration of employees with a migration background through targeted support programs. We are convinced that lived and practiced diversity and tolerance are beneficial for all. This enables us to profitably use the different skills and experience of the employees for our benefit and theirs. Fairness and appreciation in cooperation are part of our company’s self-image. That is why NORDSEE has signed the Diversity Charter.
The Diversity Charter is a corporate initiative to promote diversity in companies and institutions. It is sponsored by Chancellor Angela Merkel. The initiative aims to promote the recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in corporate culture in Germany.
We constantly offer a wide range of training opportunities for all employees. True to the motto "Everyone for the Branch," we have specifically expanded our program this year to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our sales organization and head office staff. Our 360°-FIT program (training skills individually) offers seminars, workshops and tailor-made training on request directly at the workplace. These offers are described clearly over 70 pages in our seminar catalog. Numerous internal further training courses are offered on the topics of teamwork and personality development as well as on fish and expert knowledge. In addition, there are also out-of-company offers including extra-occupational studies. Our aim is to support and encourage the people who come to us.
For decades, we have attached great importance to comprehensive, qualified vocational training. We are currently training numerous apprentices in the professions of corporate gastronomy, retail, hospitality, sales, IT assistant and office-management specialist.
For example, we offer multi-day central apprentice seminars, during which they get to know our suppliers and their facilities and gain deep insights into the most diverse business areas of NORDSEE and our partners. But that’s not enough!
NORDSEE apprentices also gain insights into the day-to-day business of the branches by attending branch manager meetings. On the exciting NORDSEE tours by the Sales Managers, apprentices also experience what it means to work at the management level of a leading company in the field of corporate gastronomy.
To expand their NORDSEE horizon, multi-week, nationwide branch exchanges are also among the "goodies" for our apprentices. Our annual apprentice weeks are a special highlight during the apprenticeship period. The apprentices are allowed to run a branch independently for one week. Everything is under their responsibility. From product development, personnel deployment and planning all the way to marketing promotions, everything is in the hands of our apprentices. This allows the young professionals to think creatively and take on responsibilities early.
Safe working and a healthy working environment are our highest priority. To ensure this, for example, an external service provider regularly checks all branches in Germany with regard to occupational health and occupational safety, and company doctors who are familiar with the work environment offer health checks or preventive check-ups to employees.
NORDSEE also offers its employees anonymous, external, everyday practical and psychological counseling for personal and workplace-related difficulties. The so-called Employee Assistance Program (EAP) helps with private issues such as financial worries, separation as well as care of relatives and difficulties in the workplace.
In addition, there are various offers for workplace health promotion such as free smoking cessation courses. For employees who want to take time for personal development outside the company, NORDSEE offers the opportunity to take a sabbatical. We also offer parental leave, which helps promote work-life balance.
