Care is the Hager way: putting people first

Care is the Hager way: why people matter to better buildings

by Franck Houdebert

Chief Human Resources Officer and Sustainability Sponsor

Better buildings are safer, smarter, and more sustainable. That promise depends entirely on people. Across Hager’s operations in more than 30 countries, the ability to deliver on that promise rests on people being safe, skilled, supported, and treated fairly. Health and safety, lifelong learning, open communication, fair treatment, and engagement are key conditions to sustainably succeed.

As Hager continues to shape the electrical world of tomorrow, our conviction doesn’t change: people are at the heart of our sustainable success. And this is directly linked to Care – our deliberate commitment to well‑being, growth, dignity, and performance. It is the cultural signature that sets us apart.

Franck Houdebert

Chief Human Resources Officer and Sustainability Sponsor

Strategic intent

People Ambition

The direction: to create a safe, diverse, and inclusive environment where people can thrive as we perform and transform.

Operational framework

Care Approach

The frame: four observable pillars – physical and mental health & safety, effective communication & feedback, fair & transparent treatment, and lifelong learning & employability – translated into concrete, daily behaviours for every manager and employee.

Target-driven execution

Human Sustainability Charter

The measure: concrete 2030 commitments that make Care accountable and auditable. Progress will be monitored centrally and reported transparently.

This is what Care means at Hager: the deliberate commitment to creating conditions in which people can give their very best. When a manufacturing team works in a safe, well-designed environment; when an engineer has access to training and mentoring; when a manager leads with empathy and clear feedback; when an employee is treated fairly and feels they belong – each of these conditions directly enables the innovation, quality, and reliability that our customers depend on.

Perform. Transform. Care. define Hager’s guiding principles. We perform to deliver reliable solutions that customers trust. We transform to drive the innovation our industry requires. And we care because the energy transition and the buildings that will define the low-carbon future are only possible when people thrive. These three commitments reinforce one another.

This chapter sets out how Hager translates Care into action. Hager has structured its approach around three instruments: a strategic intent called our People Ambition (the direction we’re headed), an operational framework called the Care Approach (how we embed Care in daily practice), and a target-driven execution plan called our Human Sustainability Charter (the measurable commitments Hager holds itself to). Together, they form a coherent articulation of our people strategy and our commitment to building better tomorrows.

Key commitments

CARE pillar	Quantitative objective (Charter)	Metric/target	What it measures in practice
Physical and mental health and safety	Reduce workplace accidents	LTAR: –5% YoY until 2030	Effectiveness of safety culture and prevention systems
Effective communication and feedback	Employee voice and engagement	1 engagement survey per year (2026–2030)	Strength of dialogue, listening culture, and feedback loops
	Build mental health approach	Framework in place by end of 2026	Maturity of psychological safety and support
Lifelong learning and employability¹	Internal mobility	30% of roles filled internally by 2030	Career opportunities and talent development
Fair and transparent treatment	Ensure employee financial protection	100% life insurance coverage by 2030	Social protection and fairness in benefits
	Gender diversity in leadership	30% women in leadership (SM+) by 2030	Inclusion and equitable access to leadership roles

What comes next

Building on this foundation, the following sections are structured around the four Care pillars and aligned with ESRS S1 and S4 standards. They present how each pillar is translated into concrete policies, operational actions, and measurable performance indicators. This approach ensures that commitments are systematically implemented, monitored, and continuously improved across the organisation.

Key performance indicators 2025

in comparison to 2024

Internal mobility

30%

same as last year

LTAR

2.42

–7,6% reduction from 2024

Gender balance

in top management (share of female leaders)

23%

same as last year

People Ambition and our Care pillars

Inspired by human sustainability

Our vision is to shape tomorrow’s electrical world.

We believe that our culture, rooted in collaboration and continuous learning, unlocks innovation, drives customer satisfaction, and creates meaningful value for people.

We foster a leadership approach and workplace culture built on empowerment.

We promote safety, health, and wellbeing.

We support people development and internal mobility to build future-ready skills for resilience and employability.

We are committed to diversity, equal opportunities, and inclusion, and to nurturing a sense of belonging and shared purpose, for better buildings and better tomorrows.

Our human-centric approach includes employees, customers, partners, suppliers, and the communities we serve.

Together, we grow.

Physical and mental health and safety

Effective communication and feedback

Lifelong learning and employability

Fair and transparent Treatment

In 2026, an objective linked to the number of working hours per employee/year has been halted and is under review. We believe there is a potential to set a more impactful target in the medium term.

Hager Annual & Sustainability Report 2025/26 – undefined Letter of the Chairman – undefined Letter from the Chief Executive Officer – undefined Introduction – undefined Our brand promise – undefined The Return to Blue – undefined Operational Excellence – undefined Introduction – undefined The switch to circular – undefined Powering performance, locally – undefined From Charging to Participating – undefined Hager at a Glance – undefined Introduction – undefined Navigating change, building momentum – undefined Tomorrow Won't Wait – undefined Sustainability Report – undefined Introduction: advancing sustainable growth and stakeholder value – undefined Performing and transforming with care – undefined General Disclosures – undefined Materiality Assessment – undefined E3: An integrated sustainability framework – undefined Environment: protecting the climate and natural resources – undefined Better buildings. Better tomorrows: electrifying the transition ahead – undefined Climate change and energy – undefined The roof that pays for itself – undefined Beyond the last mile: the routes to zero – undefined When buildings learn to think – undefined Managing substances of concern in our products – undefined Our focus on resource use and circularity – undefined Managing additional environmental topics – undefined Social: fostering wellbeing and strengthening communities – undefined Care is the Hager way: why people matter to better buildings – undefined Our people and culture – undefined The talent equation – undefined Product safety for consumers and end users – undefined Growing skills, growing business – undefined Governance: building trust through integrity and responsibility – undefined Ethics: acting with integrity – undefined From fishing nets to circuit breakers – undefined Content Index – undefined Contact / Imprint – undefined