Topics: Studies, semester abroad, career path, lawyer, labor law, Centre Patronal, continuing education.
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Hello, Mr. Baumberger, we are very pleased that you have made yourself available for an interview. You are a lawyer. What stages did you go through during your education, and what do you particularly fondly remember?
I studied law at the University of Bern as a native of Bern and recently returned for further studies at the Wiso Faculty. After completing my studies, I did a judicial internship in Interlaken and a legal internship at a law firm in Bern, which is now one of the largest in Switzerland. I concluded the internship period with an internship at FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority). After passing the bar exam, I returned to FINMA.
I have positive memories associated with all these stages. Encounters turned into friendships, completed exams and projects became valuable experiences and contributed to my personal development. I especially remember my semester abroad at the University of Lund in Sweden. Living abroad requires adaptability and independence to a certain extent, which can help you grow as a person and get to know yourself better.
In the meantime, you have worked in compliance and capital market law, and now you are in labor law. What exactly have you done, and how was the transition for you?
I started at FINMA in 2013 in enforcement and international cooperation and moved to the three-year Legal and Compliance Officer Program after two years. Through this program, I gained a deeper insight into various supervisory areas, focusing on anti-money laundering, financial market infrastructures, and collective investment schemes. Upon completing the L&C program, I felt the urge to do something new and broaden my professional horizons. A good colleague pointed out the legal position at Centre Patronal with a focus on labor and social insurance law. She was already working at Centre Patronal at that time and could wholeheartedly recommend the employer to me. So, I seized the opportunity for professional growth.
And now you are a labor law specialist, speaker, and head of legal advice and continuing education for the German-speaking part of Switzerland at Centre Patronal. What does your typical workday look like?
My workday is diverse and varied. I primarily provide legal advice and give lectures in the context of labor law. Additionally, I have organizational and strategic tasks related to the responsibilities of legal advice and continuing education. Collaboration within the team is particularly important to me. Therefore, I exchange ideas with my colleagues on a daily basis, both on a professional and personal level. I believe that a well-functioning team is more productive and happier at work.
What do you appreciate most about your work at Centre Patronal?
There are several aspects that I appreciate about my work at Centre Patronal. Thanks to interesting projects and tasks, I have the opportunity to continuously develop myself. For example, in the past two years, I was able to contribute as a project co-responsible in designing and developing a modern legal advice platform. It is important to me that I feel trust and have a certain degree of freedom in carrying out my tasks. I want to contribute ideas and be able to question things. In short, I want to feel that I can make a difference. Conversely, I also want to give the people I work with that trust and necessary space for personal development.
In daily business, I value the contact with our clients. As an advisor, I can provide our clients with alternative solutions in challenging situations that can bypass a court decision. Additionally, I enjoy labor law. It is closely connected to life, and it always involves people. I am interested in people and their stories. Ultimately, it is the stories that shape people and connect them in one way or another.
I am interested in people and their stories. Ultimately, it is the stories that shape people and connect them in one way or another. - Olivier Baumberger
What sets Centre Patronal apart as an employer?
Centre Patronal offers attractive and contemporary employment conditions, such as flexible working hours and the possibility of working from home. However, what I find even more important is that Centre Patronal provides employees with opportunities for personal development and treats them with appreciation. As an employee, you practically always have the chance to take on new tasks or additional responsibilities. And last but not least, our location in the German-speaking part of Switzerland is centrally situated in the most beautiful city in Switzerland 😉
We can leave it like that at Weblaw in Bern. In your opinion, what qualities should applicants possess who aspire to a career at Centre Patronal?
We have just posted a job advertisement for a "Legal Counsel in the field of labor and social insurance law (80-100%)" on Lawjobs.ch. The most important requirements are listed there. Personally, I value someone who enjoys working in a team, is open-minded, and shows initiative. For a service-oriented company like Centre Patronal, it also helps if applicants have a good sense of service-oriented thinking or are willing to acquire it. In general, I believe it is important for someone to have the willingness to learn and develop because the exponential technological change is also transforming the world of work.
And finally, what advice would you give to others aspiring to a career in labor law?
I don't feel that I am in a position to give career advice in labor law, as there are much more experienced experts in that field. In my opinion, it is advisable to listen to your inner interest and do what you love.
Thank you very much for the interview, Mr. Baumberger. We at Weblaw wish you continued success on your journey.