Critical Coverage of the Helvetas Salary Revision in Sonntags Blick
In 2024 Helvetas conducted a salary revision review, which was necessary due to the evolving tasks and responsibilities of many roles over the past 12 years since the last review was conducted. A cross-comparison was also essential to ensure fair classification across different functions.
This review was supported by external labor unions, VPOD and KV, and involved an organization-wide, inclusive process. The process included input from the Management Board, employee representatives through the Personnel Committee (PEKO), and consultations with the Board of Helvetas.
The initial proposal for the revision was developed in close cooperation with the Personnel Committee and further refined during final negotiations with the entire team. The outcome of these negotiations was then put to a staff vote in accordance with the collective labor agreement and was approved by 91% of the staff members.
In response to a reconsideration request (made on September 2) from a group of staff members who were affected by lower evaluations of their functions, the Management Board, in consultation with the President of the Board, decided not to lower function value points for any staff member. They also decided to maintain experience-based increases and inflation adjustments, consistent with those applied to all staff.
It is important to note that salaries for lower functions will continue to be significantly higher than the recommendations of our social partner and labor union, KV Zurich, while salaries for middle and upper-level functions will remain considerably below the benchmark of comparable organizations. The revision reduces, rather than widens, the salary range.