The current mood among specialists and managers in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry remains subdued due to the ongoing difficult economic and industrial policy conditions. This is the result of this year's mood survey conducted by the German Chemical Industry Association (VAA).
Large German chemical companies lose places in the rankings
At 3.2, the average score for the companies' HR policy is even worse than in the previous year (3.0). At the top of the survey ranking this year for the first time is the German branch of the Dutch chemical giant Lyondellbasell, followed by the Mainz-based glass group Schott. The pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim has moved up to third place. In addition to Lyondellbasell, the Hanau-based technology group Heraeus, the flavour manufacturer Symrise and the speciality chemicals group Clariant also made up places in the personnel ranking.
The three German chemical and pharmaceutical companies Bayer (from 9th place last year to 18th), Evonik (from 11th to 19th) and Lanxess (from 16th to 20th) have fallen significantly and are now in the bottom third of the ranking.
For VAA Managing Director Stephan Gilow, the effects of the current situation in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry can be seen here: ‘The environment in our industry is currently characterised by great uncertainty, both economically and structurally. The large companies in particular are reacting to this with sometimes severe cutbacks and reorganisations, which is naturally reflected in the mood of employees.’
VAA reveals weaknesses in personnel policy
Once again, the quality of personnel development was criticised most clearly across all participating companies. Here, the VAA members surveyed awarded an average grade of 4.0. As in previous years, career opportunities (3.9) and the honesty of target agreement systems (3.7) were also clearly criticised by specialists and managers.
The annual VAA Employee Opinion Survey was conducted for the 23rd time in 2024. It is a recognised and independent barometer for the mood of non-tariff and managerial employees in the industry. Around 2,700 people took part in the survey from mid-April to mid-May.
Further information is available at www.vaa.de.
