Collegiality, success, development and diversity. These four qualities define ERGO as an employer brand. Anchan Kathirkamanathan's success story is a prime example of all four values.

ERGO employee Anchan Kathirkamanathan together with Angela Hansen (representative for the severely disabled) and colleagues from the postal logistics department:
Head of Department Thorsten Petermann (l.), Mark Schneider, Bernd Fleischer, Christian Claussen and Andre Engelmann (from top l. to bottom r.).

It is Christmas Day 2008 when Anchan Kathirkamanathan, then 15 years old, collapses right outside the front door and suffers a cardiac arrest. Several weeks in a vegetative state and six months of rehabilitation followed. Since then, Anchan Kathirkamanathan has been sitting in an e-wheelchair, he can only use his hands to a limited extent and can no longer speak.

As difficult as Anchan Kathirkamanathan's fate sounds, his will to continue his life as normally as possible is strong. He obtained his secondary school leaving certificate with a focus on business and administration and, after a vocational preparation course, began training as an office worker. He gains practical experience during an internship and as an office worker in a social institution for people with disabilities. However, it is clear to him that he does not want to work permanently in a sheltered workshop, but wants to switch to the private sector and therefore contacts the Integration Service (IFD) in Neuss. There they recognised his potential and contacted representatives of severely disabled persons (SBV) from several large companies. This was also the case with Angela Hansen, SBV representative at the ERGO site in Düsseldorf.

Angela Hansen remembers: "It wasn't an application from a severely disabled person for a vacancy as usual, but the young man was introduced to me - combined with the question of whether ERGO would see a possibility of employment in general," Angela Hansen explains. "Anchan had already completed a trial employment relationship in another company, but mainly in the home office. However, he wanted to take part in life, to get out among people. I was very impressed by his unconditional will and his life-affirming nature." She pulls out all the stops. "The special challenge was not knowing what it would mean in real terms for future colleagues: Will he need special support, how will the induction work, how well will the communication work?" In her search for a suitable position at ERGO, Angela Hansen also talks to Thorsten Petermann, Head of the Postal Logistics Department, among others. He, too, is impressed by the young applicant's ability and willingness. An interview is held with the management team of the Mail Logistics Department in the Operations Division. The questions are answered by Anchan Kathirkamanathan via his computer. He convinces them - and ERGO offers him a three-month probationary period in the Postal Logistics Department as of 1 January 2023.

During the trial phase, he will be supervised by his colleague Mark Schneider, among others: "I really enjoyed training Anchan. He was extremely motivated and - above all - concentrated on the job from the very beginning. At the beginning, I was worried whether he would be up to the job. But he made very fast progress and was already firmly integrated into the team after a short time. He is a great enrichment.

Shortly before the end of the work trial, the entire team gathers to find out whether the new colleague will be kept on. Head of department Thorsten Petermann: "An incredible moment. I had hardly said that we were happy to offer him permanent employment when there was already thunderous applause. Everyone was very happy for him. It was very moving. Anchan quickly showed us that he is an asset to ERGO as a person, a colleague and an employee.

Anchan Kathirkamanathan at his workplace. With gestures, facial expressions or a speech computer: despite his speech disorder, he can communicate in many different ways.

Interview with Anchan Kathirkamanathan:

How do you like it at ERGO?
Very, very good.

Did you know ERGO before?
No, not really. I knew that ERGO was an insurance company, but that's all.

What are your tasks?
I am mainly responsible for validating digital mail. It's a lot of fun because I'm a numbers person and I like working with numbers.

How did the induction work out?
Surprisingly good and smooth.

How did the team welcome you? Were there any initial difficulties that were resolved?
No, quite the opposite. I was pleasantly surprised at how helpful all the staff were in welcoming me.

How do you communicate with your colleagues?
Mainly through facial expressions and gestures. Otherwise via my speech computer.

What hobbies do you have, what do you like to do in your free time?
Doing something with friends and watching series.

What was it like for you when the probationary period was changed into a permanent contract? How did you feel?
I was very relieved and very happy to work and to have a regular daily routine.

(Author: Sabina Rappold)