Geneva: "execrable" atmosphere poisons work: This article explores the topic in depth.
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Geneva: ". Similarly, execrable" atmosphere poisons work:
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An “execrable” atmosphere poisons the work with roads – Geneva: "execrable" atmosphere poisons work
Absenteeism, contested management and controversial hiring has caused a stir within the clean road-city service for long months.

Illustration image of a road truck at work in 2013 in Geneva.
Pierre Abensur
- The road service experienced an absenteeism rate of 12.7%.
- Employees denounce authoritarian management and denigrant remarks.
- The arrival of former Migros and Transvory collaborators arouses tensions.
- Management evokes improvements.
Times are hard at the roads of the city of Geneva. In addition, Not only because it is a particularly painful profession. In addition, which geneva: “execrable” atmosphere poisons work sees the workers “lift” a dozen tons of poubelle bags from 5:30 a.m. Furthermore, each morning of the week. Moreover, But above all because of the working climate that has settled in recent years, described as “execrable”.
The employees feel put under pressure. Nevertheless, lowered by their hierarchy, according to the testimonies collected by the “Tribune de Genève” with a dozen of them. Nevertheless, All have requested anonymity, for fear of reprisals.
A necessary screw tightening. Consequently, to hear Mauro Lorenzi, head of the clean road-city service-himself attached to the security department of Marie Barbey-Chappuis. Similarly, “The level of requirement has mounted a notch,” he assumes.
“Denigrant” remarks – Geneva: "execrable" atmosphere poisons work
The crisis is concentrated within the waste collection unit. Nevertheless, It brings together a hundred collaborators, a third of the service geneva: “execrable” atmosphere poisons work area of the service. Similarly, Absenteeism is maintained there at a high level: 12.7% between January and May 2025, after having culminated around 18% two years earlier. Therefore, “People are constantly stopping because. Therefore, what do you want, they don’t want to work if they are bored,” reports a collaborator.
Recent hires have also made people talk: the profiles selected come from two companies. Additionally, Therefore, who prove to be the former employers of the duo who directs the UCD.
Where to start? In addition, Perhaps by the arrival of a new chef at the head of this unit. Moreover, We are in 2021. Nevertheless, Very quickly, the management of this former migros tense the teams. However, Several employees evoke “denigrant” remarks, such as “you are goats” or “I’m going to teach you to drive”.
This chief arrives with in his boxes one of his former collaborators. He gives him the key role of “planner”. His management of the planning arouses distrust. The schedules or the tasks allocated can be changed at the last minute. Some people get leave, others not. Mutations become commonplace.
The fruit of “a minority”
Things are still able to ventilate with the appearance of a new deputy in 2023. Handle man. it appeals to the head of the UCD who debauchery with the company Transvorie, regular partner of the city. The assistant quickly extends his influence, taking over the management of the troops, fond of “small remarks” and cropping letters. For “nonsense”, to believe the testimonies, like a driver behind the wheel or an insult released in public.
Convening the office of geneva: “execrable” atmosphere poisons work Mauro Lorenzi are raining. The hierarchy evokes speeding, threats between collaborators, or the abandonment of their workplace to go shopping.
“The behaviors which were, wrongly, tolerated, are no longer so,” insists the head of service. He believes that “problematic behaviors” are the result of “a minority” which has long “benefited” from the system.
Controversial hires
Recruitment with Transvorie has been emulated. Three new employees are debauched with the company. Others come from Migros: in addition to the planner, two heavy goods vehicles joined the roads of the roads.
In some cases, applications from temporary employees have been dismissed. “I was a professional, on time, never absent. I applied for each job opening, but they never took me. Sometimes, without even answering me, “regrets this external, which has chained three geneva: “execrable” atmosphere poisons work fixed -term contracts before being” cleared “.
It does not take more so that the little music of “we hire the friends” spreads. It is accompanied by rumors on the domiciliation of newcomers. Some would have boasted of having used a false address to apply and would actually live outside the authorized area. Unverifiable elements but which poison the atmosphere.
Mauro Lorenzi disputes the existence of a privileged channel with Migros, moreover “the biggest provider of canton drivers”. And expresses his satisfaction at having been able to attract transvoiring employees. However, he stresses that “out of the ten commitments contracted since 2023, eight come from unemployment”. He also recalls that his service has only 3.5% G permits – compared to 6% in the city on average.
If clans were formed at first, geneva: “execrable” atmosphere poisons work a generalized malaise seems to have won the whole of the unit. “It’s a difficult job, we fart our backs all day long, but before at least we were laughing. Today, everyone eats in their corner and is wary, ”deplores an experienced employee.
A gap has widened between the field teams. those “who are in the offices”, the number of which has climbed considerably in recent years, pointed out several sources.
Shunned channels
In 2023, an anonymous letter reached the human resources of the city. He evokes the mobbing suffered by the employees. It is signed by “a collective” claiming to represent “90% of workers in the lifting”. A copy is also sent to the administrative councilor Marie Barbey-Chappuis.
Two members of the department staff go to the roads geneva: “execrable” atmosphere poisons work of roads. They invite employees to make themselves known to human resources. to address the staff commission or to the state trust group.
None dare to do it. Some fear being delivered to the hierarchy. This distrust of official canals is not a first. She had already observed herself during previous crises in other city services. such as to real estate management or at Administrative Council secretariat.
A few months later, the anonymous mail landed on a cafeteria table. This time, he is followed by a counter-offensive. Employees are offered to sign a letter of support for their hierarchy. About sixty runs.
Even today, Mauro Lorenzi sweeps most of the grievances. “We remain attentive and are aware of our responsibilities, but we are careful in the face of an anonymous geneva: “execrable” atmosphere poisons work approach.” He attributes part of the resentments at the end of the “finish-party” in 2023. a practice that made it possible to go home once his work is completed. Today, tours have fixed schedules.
“Results”
What impact does the crisis have on daily work? The employees interviewed assure not to do less, but confide having “the ball in the belly” in the morning.
For its part. the hierarchy is pleased to see first results, as “in the evolution of waiting time for a bulky meeting and in the reduction in the number of grievances” vis-à-vis the collection.
As for Marie Barbey-Chappuis, she did not wish to react to the elements appearing in this article.
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