Careers: Winning with people

Anna started her journey at us about five years ago as a post-doc in downstream development. "I had a great start at Boehringer Ingelheim," explains Anna. Her manager during this time had recently had a child and lived a great example of flexible working – jointly with her team. "She worked from home, part-time. At first, a little over two hours a day. Nevertheless, she managed to make sure that I was able to find my way in very well and that we were well coordinated as a team. That was all before the pandemic – in retrospect, she had a truly pioneering role for me." 

The post-doc was followed by an employment in formulation development. Here, Anna got to know the "other side" of research, outside the laboratory – and at the same time a lot about herself. Her heart beats for scientific work in the laboratory. This impression has been reinforced by a three-month job rotation, which she does during this time, and where she got a taste of working in the research department of Immuno-Oncology. "It is a matter close to my heart to make my career in research. That's why I was happy about the opportunity to steer my professional development."

Putting people first in everything we do

Ambitions, skills and ideas of the employees, as in the case of Anna, are the foundation of the innovative strength of our company and help to develop innovative therapies for humans and animals. This is one of the reasons why we have always placed a strong focus on our workforce and continue to put people first in everything we do. 

Finally, the promising job advertisement came; in Achim's team: "Then I saw this job posting – in research, which I have always worked towards." Nevertheless, Anna had doubts. Although the job requirements described exactly the skills she had gathered in recent years, she did not yet have leadership experiences. She applied anyway – and was invited to the selection process.

This included working on a task from a field in which Anna has not yet gained any experience: "I took an extra three days’ time to research the topic and come to a solution. The job vacancy meant a great development opportunity for me and that's why I rolled up my sleeves." And she convinced. Achim remembers: "She exceeded expectations and showed that she can familiarize herself with new topics and solve challenging questions."

Anna receives the longed-for job promise – after she got another message: She is pregnant for the second time. "My family and I have been enormously happy about the news. At the same time, I wondered what this meant for the job change." Anna opts for openness and transparency, which for her is part of good teamwork. So, when asked when she could start, she replied, "I'm pregnant."  No problem for Achim. He sticks to it: Anna is to join the team. "We had consciously chosen her. Pregnancy is not an obstacle. It is about finding ways then."

Anna already has a plan in place to start her new role after her pregnancy – inspired by her former manager: She wants to return a few months after the birth, and as a Senior Scientist assume personnel responsibility for the first time. The first two months after returning, she plans to work 1.5 hours a day. "At the time, as a post-doctoral researcher, I was happy to be able to make daily contact with my manager if necessary – even if to a limited extent," recalls Anna. "We all have different life plans or are in different situations. In my case it's the addition to the family. I want to show that we can link different working models and meet our personal needs as well as work-related aspirations." 

Support in the key moments of one's career

"Boehringer Ingelheim knows that its highly committed employees are the core of its innovative strength," summarizes Dr Sven Sommerlatte, Global Head of HR at Boehringer Ingelheim. "If, like Anna, they have a job that suits them and where they can grow, then this is also for the benefit of humans and animals." Anna's career gives a taste of what is possible at Boehringer Ingelheim. As a family-owned company, we think in generations. This also applies for our employees. “They can rely on our long-term business strategy and trust their employer which forms a great basis for spending an entire career with us. This includes our inspiring managers as well as our employees. We empower them through a culture of lifelong learning and tailored support in the key moments of their careers, thereby always approaching our HR offerings from the perspective of our people and their needs,” explains Sven. 

After Anna’s re-entry, Achim wants to support the new colleague wherever he can. In concrete terms, this means for him: "We have to ensure that we have Anna’s back to help her perform the management tasks within the reduced working hours." This is only possible if everyone in the team works together. Give and take – for the benefit of all. Achim is convinced: "Every employee will sometimes find themselves in a situation in which they are happy if their colleagues support or keep their backs free.” Be it because you get sick, your parents or your partner are in need of care – or because, as with Anna, good news are received. Whatever it is, Achim – who has been with us for more than two decades – knows: "A company like Boehringer Ingelheim can do it.