Migros diversity in numbers
Celebrating diversity at Migros
With 97,727 employees in over 100 companies, Migros Group takes diversity to heart. The current numbers.
Working in the Migros Group
The boss on sabbatical – no problem at Migros
Bernd Söllner, 53, from Lörrach (DE) and department head at Mibelle, took a few weeks off. We discover why the boss did this and how his team reacted.
As head of research and development and quality assurance, you have quite a lot of responsibility, yet you still allowed yourself a break of several weeks?
«Yes, I manage around 155 people at four locations in Europe. Nevertheless, I was able to be away for seven weeks. I just went to the office once briefly after two weeks to check with my deputy and the leadership team. For me, it was also a kind of test to see how far along the team was and whether the work processes would work without me. It worked – I left my computer at home and was only contacted three times by my deputy for minor questions.»
How did your team react to your absence?
«At first, some employees were a bit surprised. But then everyone supported me and assured me that they could run the place without me. That’s also the goal of any good leader: to make themselves redundant so that they can move on to new tasks.»
And were you able to really switch off during your sabbatical?
«Absolutely. I used the time to visit family, go on camping trips and do some renovations around the house. I also helped in a crossing of the Alps with horses with my life partner. So I not only had a rest, but also experienced something totally new. This has given me new perspectives that I can use on the job.»
Are your employees now also allowed to take a sabbatical?
«If it’s possible somehow and everyone doesn’t want to go at the same time, of course! I can recommend a longer break to anyone and everyone. One should definitely tackle new challenges in that time. It gives you a bit of distance from the job and you can gain new impressions, recharge your batteries and gain experience – which then helps you later on the job.»
Are you thinking about joining the Migros Group? You can look forward to the following benefits.
Stories from our work environment
Whether at a desk, in a store or in a laboratory – our work environment is diverse, just like the people behind it. Discover their stories.
All Stories
Asperger’s autism
“I see all errors as though they were glowing”
Barbara Infanger is 43 years old and is doing an apprenticeship as a logistician at Migros Verteilbetrieb AG in Neuendorf. She has Asperger’s autism and explains how this can actually often be a benefit during her everyday work.
From Syria to Switzerland
The Denner store as a classroom
Raparen Mohammad risked her life to escape from Syria. She now works at Denner in Rapperswil, where she is the assistant store manager.
Refugee learns how to be a baker at Jowa
Refugee learns how to be a baker at Jowa
Syrian refugee Fuad Asaad works at Migros’ bakery arm Jowa, where he is training to be a baker. We show how he makes croissants, Wähe tarts and Linzer torte.
Work environment
Fourteen questions for a butcher
Marco Eisenlohr from Micarna explains what he loves about his job and the prejudices he has to contend with.
Working world
Looking for an apprenticeship?
How do young people get their dream apprenticeship? How important are grades? An assessment.
Professions in the Migros environment
“We’re the guardian angels working in the background”
IT specialists Thomas Staub and Thien Nguyen ensure that the heart of the retail world beats in time. This means going to some surprisingly damp places.
Store manager
Everyday life as a store manager
Brendalee Salazar Piretti is store manager at Lutry La Conversion in Canton Vaud. Whether it’s product displays, managing her team or dealing with unexpected situations, her days are always busy.
A store manager’s everyday life
“I often feel like a football coach”
Yves Brunner manages the Migros supermarket in Affoltern am Albis. He gives us an insight into leading an 80-strong team and tells us what his typical working day involves.
Migros employee
What is it like to have worked at Migros all your life?
Brigitte Schalch had her first day at work over 48 years ago – and now it's her last. Why she always stayed and how often she asked: "Have you got Cumulus?".
Inclusion
A man with an iron will
After suffering an accident, René Hübner had to start using a wheelchair, but he adapted to his new situation and now works as a forklift operator for Migros.
Apprenticeship with F status
«The apprenticeship is my chance to show that I've integrated»
Mohammad Yusufi (23) fled from Afghanistan as a teenager. He is now doing an apprenticeship at the Migros company Delica – even though he has only been temporarily admitted to Switzerland.