The Bayer Senior Experts Network (BaySEN)
A new initiative from the Bayer Group presents a long-term solution to the problem of losing know-how.
Retirement marks the start of a new phase in a person’s life. It can also present a challenge to Bayer if the experience, knowledge and expertise of a long-serving employee are lost to the company from one day to the next. This problem will be exacerbated by demographic change in the future.
The Bayer Senior Experts Network
The Bayer Senior Experts Network (BaySEN) is designed to utilize the knowledge and potential of retirees by employing them as consultants on important projects.
This new initiative benefits both sides. Its aim is to give the company continued access to knowledge and experience acquired over many years. BaySEN is therefore an ideal complement to the knowledge management systems already in place to safeguard know-how in the Bayer Group. At the same time, it serves the interests of many retirees who would like to continue contributing their expertise.
The BaySEN initiative also supports diversity within the Group by creating the ideal framework within which different generations can work alongside each other and learn from each other.
Key facts about BaySEN
The patron of this initiative is Dr. Richard Pott, member of the Board of Management and labor director of Bayer AG. BaySEN supplements the present offering of Business Consulting, Bayer’s in-house consulting unit at Bayer Business Services.
The initiative is aimed at former Bayer managers (Leitende Angestellte). It is not open to managers who left the company under a severance agreement that does not provide for a company pension or who still have an employment contract with the company (e.g. under the senior part-time working [Altersteilzeit] program). Initially, BaySEN will be launched in Germany but the plan is to roll it out internationally after the pilot phase.
BaySEN offers retired managers an opportunity to supplement their retirement income, based on their contractual level prior to retirement. Senior experts are registered with a profile in the BaySEN database and are brought on board projects as consultants, subject to requirements and their agreement. They sign a temporary contract with Bayer Business Services. The scope and duration of the contract depends on the project. The opportunities are diverse: There is a demand for general managers, specialists and experienced team leaders and project managers. Assignments range from strategic, organizational and efficiency enhancement projects to all aspects of Bayer’s value chain (including R&D, supply chain, sales and marketing).
