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Expecting Children at Siemens Company

Siemens Group is splitting from its Chief of Human Resources, Jochen Wallisch (54). Reports from BILD am SONNTAG suggest that Wallisch's departure from the company is connected to family matters: his spouse has been under scrutiny by the DAX company for months due to wanting parental leave.

SymClub
May 19, 2024
3 min read
NewsMunich regionalCultureBullyingSiemens AGSeverance paymentHarbusch NikolausParental leaveTerminationmaternity protection act
Siemens Head of Human Resources Jochen Wallisch (54)
Siemens Head of Human Resources Jochen Wallisch (54)

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Wife of an HR manager becomes a target - Expecting Children at Siemens Company

In fall 2022, Dr. Marina Wallisch (40) notified Siemens of her first pregnancy. Siemens responded by revealing a sting: her legal documentation showed that her superior had discussed miscarriages and considered pregnant women "unattractive" in a conversation in Erlangen on December 13. When asked about this by BamS, Siemens claimed this conversation was "private."

However, the alleged verbal attacks didn't cease there. Shortly before Christmas 2022, Dr. Wallisch's manager sent her an email saying, "As we discussed during your performance review, I made it clear there is no longer any trust left between us and that the situation is unrecoverable. We agreed it would be best if you sought employment elsewhere."

As stated by Dr. Wallisch's lawyers, a "campaign" commenced, with Siemens aiming for one outcome: the soon-to-be-mother not returning to her job after her parental leave.

It's worth noting that the digital division at Siemens where Dr. Wallisch works is known as a troubled area within the company. The numbers are underwhelming, the pressure is intense. Having an important manager who also manages a baby doesn't seem to match their recipe for success.

Completely unprepared and shortly before Christmas 2022, the manager receives the sacking by email

Curiously, before her son was even born, Siemens initiated a multitude of compliance investigations against the psychologist with a Ph.D. Three employees claimed that the manager would bully subordinates, use abusive language, exploit her husband's position of power. Siemens used these accusations as grounds to prevent Wallisch from returning from parental leave.

It's strange but true: the law firm that asserted they independently handled the case is now responsible for the planned legal dismissal of the manager.

However, the judges at the Munich labor court and regional labor court saw no evidence that the manager had neglected her duties. Dr. Wallisch had filed a lawsuit with the intention of being reinstated from parental leave, and she was successful. But, it seems, Siemens is relentless and is actively trying to get rid of the manager. The company recently requested for the mother's special dismissal protection to be revoked. The decision is currently pending.

The manager did not hide her baby bump, demonstratively showing it on LinkedIn

When questioned by BamS, a Siemens spokesperson declined to comment on the accusations against the manager. They simply stated, "It's regrettable when legal disputes escalate. We want to learn from each experience. Workplace professionalism and respect are vital to us." Siemens desires to reiterate one point: the balance of work and family is "a significant concern" for the company.

As BamS learned, Siemens suspects the resistance from the manager may be thanks to her husband's influence. HR Chief Jochen Wallisch (a labor lawyer) was given a choice by Siemens last week: sign a termination contract or be dismissed. According to BamS information, he took the latter, a severance package.

A Siemens spokesperson told BamS, "Jochen Wallisch, head of Industrial Relations and Employment Conditions, has decided at his own request to leave Siemens on June 1, 2024." He intends to "pursue other interests outside the firm." Neither Dr. Marina Wallisch nor Mr. Wallisch responded to BamS's inquiry.

In a letter to the government of Upper Bavaria, the manager's lawyers call Siemens' behavior

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Source: symclub.org

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