First Place for Vector in "Germany's Best Employers 2025"

“This is a great place to work” is the verdict of 95% of all employees at the IT and software company Vector. The company achieved top positions in this year's “Great Place to Work” competition for its outstanding workplace culture: Vector was ranked first in Germany in the category of employers with 2,001 to 5,000 employees. The company secured second place in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. “We firmly believe that satisfied employees are essential for entrepreneurial success,” says Dr. Volker Wetekam, Managing Director of Vector Informatik GmbH, and adds: “In order to receive authentic feedback from our team and to continuously improve, we have participated in the ’Great Place to Work' competition every two years since 2005. Since then, we have consistently ranked among Germany's best employers. We are delighted that we are able to create a highly attractive working environment in which our employees can realize their full potential and develop technically sophisticated software solutions.” Vector specializes in software-based electronic systems and their connection with software tools, embedded software, and cloud technologies. The award was presented on March 20, 2025, at an awards gala in Cologne.

Representative Survey of Employees

Three quarters of the award is based on an anonymous, representative survey of Vector employees in 24 focus areas. The approval rate is particularly high for statements regarding of fairness (94 percent), care (93 percent), and friendliness (93 percent). Vector also scored particularly well in the areas of team spirit, sense of belonging and corporate image. A quarter of the result comes from a culture audit in which HR managers were asked about initiatives and programs. Employee feedback is therefore by far the most significant factor. “In our experience, it is not a single initiative that makes us a Great Place to Work, but a combination that allows employees to live their individual model based on their personal circumstances and future aspirations. We take great care to ensure that our values are not just empty words, but are also lived out in everyday working life,” says Ingrid Aguilera-Fichter, Director Employee Development & Working Conditions at Vector.

Places of Well-Being

Vector’s commitment to its employees is evident in both major initiatives and small details. One example is the design of the company buildings. “They are not just workplaces, but also places for collaboration, creativity, well-being, and sustainability,” explains Aguilera-Fichter. Vector is the only company in the world to have received the highest awards from the German Sustainable Building Council (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen) in platinum and diamond several times. Vector is also aiming for these awards for the new buildings in Regensburg (300 workplaces) and in Karlsruhe (600 workplaces), which were taken into use in 2024. Employees are also well catered for in culinary terms: the company restaurants “CANtine” in Stuttgart and Regensburg were named Germany's best company canteen by the Initiative Food & Health e.V. 2024. Press Release March 21, 2025 2 / 4 Employees enjoy significant creative freedom and work independently, without electronic monitoring or time recording. Vector follows a trust-based working hours model. There is an open-door culture right up to the management: employees can approach managers at any time. In regular “Ask me anything” sessions, the managing directors answer questions from employees. New colleagues are assigned a mentor and undergo an individual starter program. Vector accommodates employees at every stage of their lives with a wide range of flexibility options, including a flexible work location, various working time models, workation and sabbaticals. There is a Vector Kinderhaus in Stuttgart, and daycare as well as nursery places are available in Karlsruhe via a cooperation partner. At all German locations, Vector either offers several weeks of on-site vacation care or covers at least 50 percent of the vacation care costs. Five sick days per year and child are paid in full. The company has developed a comprehensive health prevention program, which also includes psychological counseling and support services.

Responsibility for Society

An increasing number of people value employers that take social responsibility. Vector places a strong emphasis on this: The Vector Foundation, which is affiliated with the company, is active in the areas of research, education and, social commitment in Baden-Württemberg. The funding focus is on technical science research projects, STEM education, and affordable housing initiatives as well as tackling youth unemployment. In 2024, the Vector Foundation funded these and other projects with a total of 12.1 million euros. The company itself is also committed to long-term social sustainability as part of its corporate social responsibility strategy. The focus is particularly on educational projects and social issues that serve the common good. Employees are encouraged to propose projects and actively participate.