Credit Suisse: Program for Returners Enters Third Year Dienstag, 07. März 2017 - 11:00

This month sees the start of the third Real Returns program at Credit Suisse in Switzerland. The program enables women in particular who have temporarily placed their careers on hold – owing to family responsibilities, for example – to return to the world of work. Nearly 30 participants were chosen from more than 400 candidates. The program aims to fully prepare them for the return to work and offer them a permanent position. With 80 percent of candidates ultimately taken on, the program has proved highly successful in the past two years.
 

Returning to professional life is not always easy, particularly for women who have taken a career break due to family commitments. The Real Returns program at Credit Suisse addresses this specific issue by helping experienced professionals to enhance their skills, update their industry knowledge, and boost their confidence after a lengthy break from employment. Talented candidates therefore have the opportunity to transition back to the workplace. Although the program is primarily geared toward giving women the opportunity to return to work, it is also open to men who have dedicated themselves to childcare or parental care, for example, for an extended period of time. This year the program involves 24 women and 3 men with an average of 14 years' professional experience. Places on the program were very much in demand again this year, as illustrated by a record 400-plus applications. 

Broad-Based Program

The four-month program comprises various elements, the focus being on a practical assignment that is optimally tailored to the candidates' skills and experience. Practical assignments are complemented by a series of training sessions. Participants are familiarized with the structure and culture of the company, and also receive coaching in relation to personal development. A special feature of the program is that all participants are individually supported by a mentor from senior management. [AK1] This is primarily aimed at giving them further support with career issues, but also to enable them to discuss questions about the company. The program is rounded off by a number of events, which also helps participants build up a personal network within the bank. 

Program Has Proven a Great Success in the Past

The Real Returns program is offered in the US, UK, and India, as well as Switzerland. It proved very successful when it was held in Switzerland in 2015 and 2016: Out of a total of 52 former participants – 49 women and 3 men – around 80 percent are currently in a permanent position with Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse played a pioneering role in the Swiss business world when it launched the program three years ago. 

According to Tali Zimmerman-Baer, Global Head of Internal Mobility & Diversity Recruiting and Real Returns Program Manager: "As a leading Swiss bank with a global network, we are continually on the hunt for the best talent. We have also set ourselves ambitious targets for the advancement of women. The Real Returns program is one of our innovative responses to this issue. We want to offer women the opportunity to return to a position of responsibility following a career break. That means concentrating mainly on the valuable experience they gained prior to taking time out, rather than on the time spent away from work." 

Credit Suisse Leads on Diversity in the Workplace

According to the Diversity Index Switzerland published recently by Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Credit Suisse leads the way in Switzerland in terms of diversity in the workplace. In a survey, the university examined the measures taken to promote employee diversity at nearly 40 of Switzerland's largest companies. This focused firstly on questions relating to the diversity of the workforce in Switzerland, according to criteria such as age, gender, nationality, and religion. Secondly, it looked at the embedding of diversity management in the organization, the provision of internal training, and the implementation of specific measures. The Real Returns program was singled out as being particularly positive. 

Further information about the Real Returns Program is available on the Internet.