Employee well-being and engagement

Working environment

At SMG, we are committed to creating a positive, flexible, and dynamic work environment where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Collaboration, trust, and continuous learning shape our culture, ensuring that everyone feels supported, motivated, and connected to a shared purpose. These principles are embedded in our CoC, which mandates a safe, supportive, and respectful workplace. Our flexible work arrangements allow employees to adapt their schedules to individual needs and maintain a healthy work-life blend.

Valuing employees goes beyond the workplace experience; it also means ensuring competitive and fair compensation. We are committed to fair pay across locations, complemented by merit-based rewards and a comprehensive range of benefits aligned with local market practices. Where offered, these include generous contributions to insurance schemes and pension plans, support for healthcare services and well-being perks, and additional location-specific benefits.

In 2024, we introduced the Profit Growth Share Plan (PGSP), a discretionary profit-sharing programme that rewards the invaluable contribution of our employees to SMG’s success.¹⁶

Attracting and retaining top talent is not just about recruitment; it reflects our dedication to fostering a workplace where employees feel recognised, valued, and empowered.

Corporate culture

By embracing the value of better together, we unleash our full potential, communicating openly, and fostering a culture of inclusiveness, trust, and fun.

Cultural and communication efforts in 2024 were marked by a range of initiatives, including:

• 80 workshop hours of Culture Bootcamps across locations, offering an in-depth exploration of our purpose and values while honing essential self-leadership skills for both professional and personal growth.
• Six global New Starter Days, fostering a purpose-driven journey for new employees.
• 27 active Guilds at SMG, creating communities of practice to exchange knowledge and expertise.

Regular employee events and business unit on- or off-sites are complemented by the OneEvent, a moment to bring SMG’s entire global workforce together, to connect, inspire, and celebrate. The previous gathering took place in 2023.

These initiatives strengthen our corporate culture and relationships across locations and business units, ensuring that employees feel motivated and connected to a larger mission. They reinforce our shared purpose, encourage collaboration, and promote continuous learning.

Flexible working

At SMG, we embrace agile working models and flat hierarchies to foster cross-functional, self-directed teams where entrepreneurial thinking and innovation thrive. Our culture is built on trust, autonomy, and collaboration, empowering employees to work in ways that best suit their roles and teams.

Employees have the freedom to choose between home, office, or hybrid arrangements, ensuring alignment with team dynamics while maintaining personal flexibility. Our offices are designed to be engaging and adaptable, supporting both collaboration and deep-focus work practices. Transparent and accessible communication channels keep teams connected, engaged, and aligned, no matter where they work.

Prioritising mental well-being

Supporting mental health is a crucial component of employee well-being.

We partner with a global specialist providing confidential and solution-focused social counselling. This online service is available to employees in Switzerland, Germany, and France, and also extends to their household members. Employees in Serbia and Vietnam have access to tailored support through a similar offering.

Additionally, online learning options are available on health and well-being topics, including managing anxiety, overcoming overthinking, achieving digital balance, and boosting productivity through mindfulness and movement.

People and Culture Surveys

We are committed to actively listening to and understanding employee needs through regular engagement. Our well-being and engagement initiatives are evaluated through three quarterly Pulse Surveys and a holistic annual People and Culture Survey. The annual survey assesses key areas such as work-life balance, learning and development, social responsibility and diversity, collaboration and communication, and feedback and recognition, providing comprehensive insights through factor scores.

In 2024, we expanded the survey to include more international locations.¹⁷ Our latest 2024 engagement score reached 65%, slightly above the national Swiss benchmark of 64% (July 2024).¹⁸ This supports our ongoing commitment to act on employee feedback and maintain engagement levels above national benchmarks. Our People and Organisational Development Team analyses survey results to identify lower-ranked areas and gather direct input from employees to develop targeted initiatives. A strong culture of feedback and open communication supports this process. By closing this feedback loop, we reinforce our commitment to continuous improvement and ensure that employees are heard and valued.

Survey participation continues to trend above 70%, demonstrating employees’ willingness to share insights and help shape the future of our workplace. Results from 2024 highlight a strong focus on well-being, with 90% of employees agreeing that “My manager genuinely cares about my well-being”.

By continuously listening, gathering insights, and acting on feedback, we foster an environment where employees feel valued, engaged, and inspired to grow.