Ulrich Weidmann visits the Staff Commission

Ulrich Weidmann has been Vice President of Human Resources and Infrastructure since January. On a visit to the Staff Commission, he looked back on his first three months on the Executive Board.

Ulrich Weidmann looked back on his first 90 days in office at the Staff Commission. (Image: ETH Zurich/ Peter Rüegg)
Ulrich Weidmann looked back on his first 90 days in office at the Staff Commission. (Photo: ETH Zurich/ Peter Rüegg)

As Vice President for Human Resources and Infrastructure, Ulrich Weidmann is responsible for human resources policy as well as personnel development and management at ETH Zurich. Recently he visited the Staff Commission (PeKo), which represents the interests of the administrative and technical personnel with respect to the Executive Board.

Weidmann praised both the teamwork within the Executive Board and the flexibility of ETH Zurich. “Colleagues at ETH distinguish themselves through a high degree of professionalism and commitment – they are talented people who complement each other.”

ETH Zurich offers favourable terms of employment and a high level of job security. No one is left behind during periods of change, while flexibility is a key factor in success at all levels.

Weidmann reiterated that leadership is a matter of collaboration between staff and management, but that management have a responsibility to adequately fulfil their leadership duties.

Salaries in the spotlight

The evaluated salary system meets fundamental requirements, though Weidmann sees scope for adjustments to job descriptions, which serve to determine function levels as well as individual salaries.

In the long term, said Weidmann, he is personally more inclined to increase the performance-related components of salaries – in whatever form – than to reduce them. “In so doing, we’re motivating for the future, rather than just rewarding the past. There is still a great deal to think over in this area.” A reduction in performance-related components from 1.2% to 0.6% of the salary total is currently under discussion.

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