DACHSER Memmingen receives the "JobErfolg 2024" award for employing people with disabilities and chronic illnesses

The award ceremony took place on July 24 at the “Haus der Bayerischen Wirtschaft” conference center in Munich. The award is presented every two years by the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labor and Social Affairs and the Bavarian State Government's Commissioner for matters relating to persons with disabilities. Thomas Henkel, Branch Manager in Memmingen, accepted the award on behalf of DACHSER together with Inclusion Officer Annekatrin Rülke, HR Manager Maud Leichtle and representative for people with disabilites Rainer Hupe. "This award is recognition for the family-owned company DACHSER and also for all employees who work for the company every day despite their disabilities and do a great job," says Henkel. "Basically, we do very simple things that don't have to be complicated: We take care to find the right place of work for everyone at the Allgäu Logistics Center. This applies to employees with and without disabilities."

In total, DACHSER employs around 850 people at the Memmingen branch, 62 of whom live with a disability. Many of these employees were already working at DACHSER when they fell ill. The aim is to enable them to continue participating in active working life. "It doesn't help to complain about a shortage of skilled workers," says Henkel. "Instead, we need to take active steps to find flexible solutions to retain experienced and valuable employees who want to return to work after a serious illness, for example. People are definitely worth going the extra mile."  

"At DACHSER in Memmingen, the close and productive cooperation between the HR department, representatives for employees with disabilities and the inclusion officer is bearing fruit," says Burkhard Eling, CEO of DACHSER. "Personal commitment and years of experience meet the motivation to find a suitable solution for every employee. The branch benefits from successful inclusion: people with disabilities are an integral part of the workforce and culture in Memmingen. The logistics center thus sets a great example for our entire company and beyond. The "JobErfolg" award honors this commitment."

Individual working hours and technical aids to relieve physical strain

In practice, DACHSER in Memmingen adapts working hours individually and uses technical aids such as passive exoskeletons, i.e. support aids that contribute to an ergonomic posture. "I feel safer with the harness," says Nelia Onischenko, for example. The 61-year-old works six hours a day in the warehouse again after a slipped disc and wears a type of kidney belt with stiffeners. "Any wrong movement can cause me problems. But with the belt, I have the feeling that I am better supported."

Patrick Fackler is also able to continue working as a truck driver at DACHSER in Memmingen despite a chronic illness and after a serious operation. At first, he was not sure whether he would be able to continue working in his profession. "I used to drive up to 600 km a day, mainly on the night shift. Now I drive shorter distances of around 40 km each way several times a day and only work the day shift," says the 43-year-old. Patrick Fackler also uses the automatic loading and unloading system exclusively. Other employees also use the system, but not all loading gates are equipped with it. For Patrick, however, the automated system plays a major role in avoiding heavy lifting and physical strain.