How Siemens Healthineers is helping its international staff feel at home

Relocating for work can bring stress, as it involves adapting to a new culture and potentially learning a new language. European countries often rank poorly when it comes to welcoming expats, with Germany being one of them. Siemens Healthineers, a German medical technology company, employs 74,000 people worldwide and recently launched Beyond Borders, an employee network, to support international staff.

The initiative came in response to feedback from the company's monthly staff surveys, which revealed that many international employees felt they were not fully integrated. Within nine months, Beyond Borders had 200 members. Liza Follert, head of people attraction for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Siemens Healthineers, explained that the network was created in response to employee feedback, with eight years of regular staff surveys identifying areas where employees needed support.

The company ranks ninth on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For – Europe list, and Follert attributes this to regular check-ins and the ability for employees to shape company culture. Beyond Borders is one of several employee resource groups Siemens Healthineers has established, including networks for working fathers, LGBTQ+ employees, and early-career staff.

Mental health challenges remain a significant issue, and the company has begun training employees in mental health first aid, along with offering access to a meditation app in some markets. Stress scores in the survey have leveled out, but Follert notes that it is difficult to determine the extent to which the program has contributed to this improvement.

Siemens Healthineers once considered training employees as brand ambassadors, but discontinued the idea after noticing that staff were already doing the job organically. The supportive employee culture has positively impacted staff retention and attraction, with resignations falling by about a quarter in 2025. The company is also experiencing an increase in job applications, with candidates arriving on colleague recommendations.

Siemens Healthineers is currently in the process of spinning off from its parent company, Siemens, and the vote on this direct spin-off is scheduled for Siemens's next annual general meeting in February 2027. Employees' loyalty during this transition is attributed to the company's consistency during critical times.