Administration Canton of Basel-Stadt wants to increase its attractiveness as an employer

In response to an employee survey, the canton of Basel-Stadt wants to increase its attractiveness as an employer. To this end, it has decided on measures that are to be implemented within two years. These include pre-natal leave, placement bonuses, higher wages for apprentices and compensation for changing time.

"We are also feeling the shortage of skilled workers, but not everywhere in the same way," said Finance Director Tanja Soland (SP) to the media on Friday. Project manager Toya Krummenacher explained that in certain areas of IT, engineering and paramedics, for example, some positions are difficult to fill.

As a pilot project, employees are to receive a financial reward of 1,000 francs if they are able to place someone in an area particularly affected by the shortage of skilled workers. With the leave for expectant mothers three weeks before the expected date of birth, the government wants to fulfill a political demand from parliament. As a result, maternity leave would amount to 19 weeks. The aim is to implement this by January 2025.

The compensation for changing times primarily affects the emergency services. The government expects additional costs of CHF 720,000, which will be submitted to the Grand Council.

Improvements in pay and health

Starting salaries are to be increased by 250 to 300 francs per month for jobs without training requirements. This applies, for example, to jobs in cleaning, museum supervision or for people who support pedagogically trained staff in day structures, said Samir Stroh, Head of Human Resources at the canton.

Around half of the canton's employees took part in this year's first canton-wide survey, which was conducted by an external company. Sixty-five percent of those surveyed described themselves as satisfied and 19 percent as somewhat satisfied. They see potential for improvement in the areas of remuneration, health and personnel development.

SDA