Bentley and its employees show overwhelming social commitment

At the beginning of the year, no one could have imagined the personal and professional challenges that this unusual year would bring. The medical technology company Bentley and its employees have also been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is only because our employees have always supported all the protective measures taken that we have been able to maintain infection control while keeping all operations running. It was a unanimous decision by management and our shareholders to thank them for their support and perseverance,” said Sebastian Büchert, Managing Director of Bentley.

And so, in mid-November, Bentley employees were delighted to receive a surprise pre-Christmas gift in the form of a tax-free coronavirus bonus of €1,500. The good news was announced at one of the regular hybrid information events. Anton Hofmann, chairman of the Förderverein für krebskranke Kinder Tübingen e.V. (Friends of Children with Cancer Tübingen), was also invited as a guest to the same event. Since 2018, Bentley employees have been volunteering to raise funds for the association by selling mulled wine and waffles at the Hechingen Christmas market. In his presentation, Mr. Hofmann not only provided insight into how the donations are used, but also drew attention to the decline in donations due to the pandemic.

Unfortunately, Bentley was unable to sell waffles and mulled wine this year, which makes the joint effort by the Hechingen-based company and its employees a few weeks later all the more significant: employees were able to donate overtime, vacation days, and money on a voluntary basis. As in previous years, all donated hours were charged at €20.00 each by Bentley, and the final amount of the donations, including the monetary donations, was then doubled again by Bentley. The compassion and commitment of the now 200 employees was so great that more than two-thirds of the workforce, including international colleagues from France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Colombia, took part in the fundraising campaign. In total, more than 63 vacation days, almost 600 hours of overtime, and €4,185.00 in monetary donations were collected. All expectations were significantly exceeded, as the final donation amount was an extremely gratifying €52,238.00, more than double the amount donated by the workforce in the previous year.

“I am very touched by the generosity of our employees. Even though the medical technology industry has been less severely affected by the pandemic than others, each of our employees has had to accept cutbacks in their private and professional lives. This makes it all the more wonderful that they have not forgotten that other people have far greater concerns,” said Büchert.

The employees themselves were overwhelmed that they were able to raise such a large amount and are delighted that the Förderverein für krebskranke Kinder Tübingen e.V. (Tübingen Association for Children with Cancer) will be able to do so much good for sick children and their families with the money collected.