The employees of Gasthof Löwen in Hausen am Albis ZH will be envied: the company takes a two-month break and sends employees on paid vacation.
Head chef Oliver Wirkus (25) enjoys some free time with his assistant chef Tim Jäggi on the beach of Koh Chang, Thailand. Previously, Wirkus had not traveled long distances for a long time. He used to travel a lot. “This is a chance,” he thought when company holidays were announced to Blick from Thailand.
Backpacking time
Employees are not entitled to a full two months of additional leave. They dedicate some of their regular vacation time to winter vacation and mostly work during the high season between March and December.
The joy of the break at the beginning of the year is great everywhere, says the lion. One visits his mother in the Dominican Republic after a long hiatus. Another uses the time for a backpacking trip. First long-distance journey of assistant cook Tim Jäggi.
But at first the team had to let the information in. “I think the team was initially impressed by this message,” Wirkus says.
Two-month paid company vacation cannot be applied in every company. Young employees in particular work at Löwen. “They’re adventurous and eager to travel, they’re flexible, and yet they want to see and do as much as possible,” says the chef. But older team members were also happy to spend time with children and grandchildren or travel to their families.
Buffalo with sand between your toes
Wirkus can’t just sun fry on the beach in Thailand. At the end of January, he has to take written exams for further training as a chef at Gastgewerbeverband Gastrozürich. Instead of studying alongside work, he is now basking in the sunshine and sea breeze in Thailand.
“In Thailand, I think slowing down and relaxing can help me prepare for exams efficiently,” Wirkus says. It was a relief for him to be able to let his learning flow with a clear conscience towards the end of the year. He knew company holidays were coming soon.
As a result, Löwen employees can no longer use many vacation days for the rest of the year. “Whether that’s stupid is a question that can’t be answered generally at the moment,” says Wirkus. “The days and weeks go by so quickly in our industry that soon it will be January again.” And the lion closes its doors again.