Our Values
Läderach Charta
For us, every person is unique and valuable. Regardless of skin color, gender, heritage, age, religious conviction, sexual orientation, their way of life, their abilities or possible limitations. This is also reflected in our approximately 1,300 employees from over 50 nations, with a wide variety of religious affiliations and lifestyles. What unites us is tolerance, respect and freedom of opinion. They are always at the heart of everything we do.
And, of course, the love for fresh Swiss chocolate made from the best raw materials.
Inclusiveness & Freedom of Expression
At Läderach, Inclusiveness and Freedom of Expression is written in capital letters. For us, all people are equal and have the same rights – regardless of ethnic and cultural origin and religious or sexual orientation.
Every day we are in contact with the most diverse people. Everyone has their own views, opinions and philosophies of life. And we show the same appreciation and openness to all these people. It does not matter whether the views and opinions are in line with our own or not.
“The hearty welcome here at Läderach fills me with a strong sense of belonging and respect. I believe in my colleagues and our fresh chocolate!”
Jeannie Chan
Director of Finance, North America
Mutual Respect
When we respectfully discuss different opinions and views with each other, we give ourselves the opportunity to enrich the conversation, understand new perspectives, and grow as an organization, as a business, and as human beings. Our goal is learn from each other’s experiences, regardless of whether it’s feedback from store associates in Switzerland or from the many countries around the world where we now have Läderach operations.
«I am a homosexual woman ... and (in Läderach's case) I do not feel like a number, but I feel valued as a person, as a woman.»
Emanuela lo Piccolo
Chocolaterie employee
Diversity
Läderach is a lively, innovative company that thrives precisely because of the diversity of the people who strive on a daily basis to make it a successful business. We cherish our associates from diverse races, nationalities, ages, religions, and sexual orientations. More than half of our management team is female, and we work to promote equal opportunities in the workplace for all associates.
«In our company we live a friendly, respectful, decent and mutually respectful way of dealing with each other ... at all levels, exemplified by our bosses.»
From a letter to the editor from three employees in Südostschweiz dated 22 June 2020
Transparency
Transparency is our focus in how we communicate as a company and how we source, produce and market our products of the highest and freshest quality.
Whether internally or externally, we communicate openly about our actions and needs, and are also willing to accept our weaknesses – this is the only way we can learn from each other and evolve.
«What is important to us: Läderach is just as interested in a fair price as we are in our well-being as cocoa farmers.»
Cocoa Farmer from Ghana
Independent Whistle-blower channel
We at Läderach place great importance to adhering to our corporate values of tolerance, respect, and freedom of expression in all our activities. However, should violations of these occur that cannot be resolved directly, we offer the opportunity to report such incidents confidentially and anonymously in cooperation with the Swiss Consumer Forum. The Swiss Consumer Forum clarifies the situation and makes recommendations for problem-solving to the internal departments concerned.