Occupational pension scheme

Our pension fund forms a strong foundation for the future of our employees. At the end of 2024, all permanent employees in Switzerland were insured with us - with a pension solution that goes far beyond the statutory minimum. Attractive employer contributions, an above-average interest rate and three optional plans offer both security and flexibility.

Key figures of the SQS pension fund (as of 31.12.2024)

In order to secure the structural risk capacity and profitability of our employee pension scheme in the long term, we initiated the evaluation of a possible affiliation to a collective foundation in the 2024 financial year. Such a strategic realignment should not only further increase financial stability, but also optimise administrative costs, offer insured persons added value and secure the future viability of the employee benefits foundation. We are pursuing these considerations with the clear aim of offering our employees a reliable and efficient pension scheme in the long term.

Pension benefits are also a central element of our employer strategy. In a highly competitive labour market, they help to attract qualified employees, retain them in the long term and create meaningful jobs.

Others

In addition to the extraordinary benefits under the occupational pension scheme, permanent employees benefit from other excellent social benefits. These include, for example, a one-off marriage and birth premium, the topping up of statutory child allowances or the payment of the insurance premium for daily sickness benefits insurance (KTG) by the employer. During statutory maternity- or paternity leave, SQS continues to pay 100% of the salary.

The accident insurance benefits are particularly worth mentioning in this context. In the event of an accident, employees are insured for the following benefits in addition to the statutory minimum benefits:

• Private ward nursing care benefits (worldwide)

•  Integrity capital (in the event of disability) in the amount of two AHV annual salaries

• Death capitital in the amount of one AHV annual salary

  SQS covers the full premium costs of the supplementary insurance.

SQS covers the full premium costs of the supplementary insurance.

There is no training program for auditors on the market. Accordingly, SQS has to train its employees itself. We therefore invest heavily in the internal training and further education of our auditors. A complex qualification process must be completed before new employees are introduced to this area. This includes numerous internal courses, observation assignments during audits by colleagues and, in some cases, even technical examinations by standard setters.

In 2024, SQS employees completed a total of over 1,800 training days. In addition to the regular introduction of new employees, a wide range of topics were covered, such as changes to Swiss law and to assessed standards and norms, as well as specialist and industry-specific requirements and developments. There were also workshops with customers or on the further development of SQS.

We are delighted that another SQS commercial apprentice successfully completed his vocational training in 2024. There are currently no further apprentices in training. This is mainly due to the KV reform, which came into force in 2024. SQS is closely monitoring the implementation of this educational reform and will evaluate in the coming years whether training places can be offered again that meet the requirements for a substantive training program.