WEEKLY
FOR ŠKODA AUTO EMPLOYEES
THOMAS SCHÄFER’S
LETTER TO EMPLOYEES
OF ŠKODA AUTO
30/2020
PROTECTION
AGAINST COVID-19
DURING THE COMPANY HOLIDAY, COVID-19 CASES HAVE
INCREASED IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES. UNFORTUNATELY,
EVEN IN CZECHIA, THE NUMBER OF THE INFECTED IS
THE HIGHEST SINCE THE EPIDEMIC STARTED.
However, it‘s positive that there is no widespread occurrence
and community spread. The occurrence is mostly limited and
connected with a specific event. There is no massive cluster
among high-risk groups (retirement homes and hospitals) either.
All of this gives us a solid chance to reduce the risk of infection
very effectively with a number of practical steps in everyday life.
Minimize the possibility of carrying
infection into the company
Dear colleagues,
Many of you are just returning
from a well-deserved summer
holiday, and I hope you have had a
good rest. After all, we have
plenty to do in the second half of
the year. My name is Thomas
Schäfer, and I took over as CEO
of ŠKODA AUTO on 3 August.
I am not only excited about the
new task but also the new
country, the people, Czech
culture and of course the first
face-to-face meetings and
discussions with you. 2020 is a
very special year; ŠKODA is
celebrating its 125th anniversary,
making it one of the pioneers
of the automobile. You can be
rightly proud of this unique company. ŠKODA has developed
impressively in all areas over
recent years and is today
a thriving and likeable brand with
a clear profile and convincing
products. The multitude of tasks
that the brand now performs for
the Volkswagen Group also
speaks for ŠKODA’s strength –
be it the regional responsibility for
India or the responsibility for
developing the new SUPERB and
Passat generations. I congratulate
you on these great achievements
and thank you and my predecessor for what you
accomplished together.
First and foremost, I will be
focusing on listening. I want to
understand what makes ŠKODA
tick and what motivates you.
What do you think is going well
and where can we improve? I
believe in open dialogue on eye
level – so don’t be afraid to talk
to me also outside of meetings!
Together we are now writing
a new chapter and taking the next
steps in the transformation
process. Under the current
circumstances with the coronavirus and global political and
economic uncertainties, this will
not be a walk in the park.
However, I am confident that
we will overcome this difficult
situation together.
Dear colleagues,
In the future, the car will be
electric and fully networked.
That’s why I’m paying particular
attention to the further
electrification and digitalisation
of our products. These will be a
crucial factor in ŠKODA
remaining desirable to its
customers. We are
demonstrating our vision of this
transformation with the ENYAQ
iV. This model is the
gamechanger for the brand, and I
am looking forward to the world
premiere on 1 September.
What’s important to me is that
we always focus on the customer
in everything we do. A ŠKODA
must always offer that little bit
more car for the money and
surprise in a positive way. This
and the outstanding quality of
the team and the products
distinguish the brand and will
continue to do so in the future.
Dear colleagues, ŠKODA’s future
begins now. And it starts with
your ideas, your passion and your
commitment. Let us create this
future together; I am looking
forward to it!
Best regards,
Thomas Schäfer
It's up to each of us - let's be responsible to ourselves and to
others. Every employee (internal, agency or external) should
thoroughly consider their current health condition, travel history
(a week ago before returning to work) and make sure that they
haven‘t been in contact with an infected person. The SelfAssessment Questionnaire with 5 questions can help you
decide. The eventual detection of COVID-19 inside the
company will not only cause quarantine for the potentially
infected person, but for their colleagues at the workplace as well.
The decisive factor is time and quick action – do not be afraid
to report even a suspicion of contact with the patient or your
illness to your superior.
Face Masks
We recommend employees who want to protect their own
health as well as the health of their colleagues, to use their own
face mask or assigned nano-scarf (effective and comfortable)
from the employer, and keep using it at work during the first
week after returning to work at least. It will provide the best
protection in contact with people from other teams
or departments, as well as in common areas such as toilets, etc.
Disinfection
Hand disinfection is available all over the company and is
being regularly replenished. Please use this option to
disinfect your hands, especially if there is no spot to wash
them with running water and soap.
Home Office
For departments with the opportunity to meaningfully utilize
work from home for their employees, we recommend increasing
the mobile work volume in the first week after the companywide holiday (i.e. from 10 to 15 Aug 2020), as agreed with the
employees and according to operational possibilities. This will
also significantly reduce the risk of possible quarantine.
Latest news can always be found at the ŠKODA Space Portal.