Equal, diverse, valued

At HERMOS, people with disabilities are supported in a targeted manner

Men working on technical equipment in a workshop

HERMOS has had a representative for employees with severe disabilities since 2016. In addition to his actual role, Koray Buberka looks after the concerns and issues of employees with disabilities within the company. “I am their point of contact and advocate,” says Buberka. Management always has an open ear for these concerns, because inclusion is an important topic at HERMOS.

On-site visit to HERMOS Schaltanlagen GmbH in the industrial area near Wolfsbach. Eldin Music proudly shows his workstation, where he assembles complex circuits—sometimes for a theatre in South Korea, sometimes for a German machine manufacturer. Standing next to him is his supervisor, Koray Buberka. The two have known each other for many years—and they get along well, even though Eldin Music is hard of hearing. That is why sometimes a look or a gesture is enough. Then both of them know what it is about. However, as Deputy Workshop Area Manager at HERMOS Schaltanlagen GmbH, Koray Buberka is not only his supervisor, but has also been the company’s representative for employees with severe disabilities since 2016.

Strong career

The two speak with pride about the career Eldin Music has built at HERMOS. After completing his training as an electronics technician for device technology and systems in Nuremberg and spending time at another company, he joined HERMOS in 2009—initially as a production assistant. “In the meantime, he has worked his way up to become a skilled specialist,” reports Koray Buberka.
Music achieved his promotion to a skilled role in the electrical field primarily thanks to his diligence and performance. He is assigned to the production of highly qualified control units, but oversees these projects from procurement through to handover to the test department. To do so, he also communicates with customers and suppliers—usually in writing. For this purpose, HERMOS provided him with a notebook specifically for the job. Buberka is proud of his protégé: “He fights to be better than the others. And I can rely on him 120 percent.” Eldin Music smiles and is pleased with the praise. Conversely, he can also rely on the company, which always takes his family situation into account: his wife is deaf-mute, and one of his children is as well. “HERMOS has always been considerate and has always kept the topic of family in mind when it comes to working hours,” he says.

A major topic

Such careers are certainly possible at HERMOS, because the inclusion of people with disabilities is a major topic within the company. As early as 2016, Koray Buberka was elected as the representative for employees with severe disabilities, and he looks after the 13 colleagues with disabilities today. “For me, it was a matter of course to take on this task,” he says today—and you immediately believe him when he talks about individual tasks and about “problems” he has solved. Above all, however, he wants to provide help for self-help. “These people have fears and insecurities,” he reports. With the representative for employees with severe disabilities, there is someone who supports them, helps them, and stands by them. “We support these people as best as possible,” says Koray Buberka, describing the assistive devices that have been purchased, support measures, and targeted professional development, as in the case of Eldin Music.