Diversity

Top-class sport and everyday office life: Fabian's search for balance

Fabian Recher's everyday life is a mixture of World Cup and office - how does he master this challenge? And what additional hurdles does he have to overcome as an incomplete paraplegic? In his search for the much-cited balance, Fabian realized that not everything is possible at the same time - professional sport, recreation, private life, work. He adjusted his workload accordingly. Since then, everything has worked out a little better.

By Diversity Team

Fabian, you are an incomplete paraplegic. Would you like to tell us how this came about?

I was born with spina bifida - also known as an open back. Even though I have some residual walking function, I always use a wheelchair in everyday life.

A limitation that has never stopped you from being sporty.

That's right. I've always been very sporty and I'm a polysporty person. I've tried out a lot of things. Mono-skibob was the one that got me hooked and I also took part in competitions in this discipline.

Today you are a professional athlete. But not on snow, but on the road. When did this change of surface take place?

Skiing is very time-consuming - also in terms of organization. I started hand biking to compensate for this. And I quickly realized: this is my sport. I was independent, could go out on the road whenever I wanted and do sport. Sport took up more and more space and time in my life, so I attended a sports class in secondary school.

Did sport influence your career choice?

It definitely did. It was clear that sport would play a big role in my education. So I had to find a way to integrate it into my education. Through a friend who plays wheelchair basketball, I heard about the sports KV at Swisscom. So I applied there too.

And voilà: Ten years later, you're still at Swisscom…

That's how it is. After my apprenticeship, I joined my current team in HR. I have found all the framework conditions here that I need to combine professional sport with work.


"It's a give and take. My work-life balance is only possible this way."

Which would be?

I have the flexibility to plan my training sessions and fill the gaps with work. The only fixed point is Tuesday - that's my set office day. Even though my focus is very much on sport at the moment, that doesn't mean that I'm not fulfilling my professional obligations. And I'm aware that this flexible setting also demands a lot from my employer. It's a give and take. My work-life balance is only possible this way.


"Sometimes I also have a guilty conscience. Especially at times when I'm away a lot - before big competitions, for example."

What role does the team play in this?

A very decisive one. I can only work like this because I have a fantastic team that takes a lot on board. Including regular exchanges, which we have to plan accordingly of course, otherwise you get lost. Sometimes I also have a guilty conscience. Especially at times when I'm away a lot - before big competitions, for example. But you also have to say that in my current position, I have my tasks and responsibilities, but I don't play a leading role. I provide support and help out, but I could never perform a managerial role in this way.

What do you have to do to be able to dance successfully at different weddings and never get out of step?

I have to start by saying that my situation is a huge stroke of luck. I'm very grateful that I can combine my job and sport in this way and that I have an employer in Swisscom who supports all of this. The trust in me was and is huge. I don't want to jeopardize that under any circumstances. That's why it's important to talk immediately in the event of disagreements or challenges.

Are you sometimes afraid that your sporting ambitions will torpedo your professional ones?

When I see others my age, it sometimes occurs to me, yes. They have completed their apprenticeship, added their A-levels, done further training, been able to take on more responsibility and therefore also managerial positions. In other words, they are no longer "just" clerks. But hey: I'm not complaining at all, after all, I've found a way to combine the two.


"I also got to the point where I thought: I can't get it done at work and the sport is suffering too."

Do you sometimes have the feeling that you have to divide yourself up and not do justice to any one area?

For me, the overall structure has to be well balanced. This spring, I would probably have agreed with that statement. Because back then I kept having exactly the same problem. I thought I wasn't getting it right at work and my sport was suffering as a result. It's not just about the training sessions. Recovery is also a big and important factor. And none of that worked anymore. Now that I've adjusted my workload, it's very balanced again.

Is it possible to be professionally successful part-time? Just as successful as someone in the same job who works 100%?

I don't think you need a 100% workload. But I also realize that you can't move the world in business if you're there so little. You actually always do small things and then pass them on. The fact is: to really develop and make an impact, you have to be there more.


"You can't argue away a disability. But sport has given me extreme independence and fitness, which enables me to do a lot of things. There is very little that restricts me in my working life."

You have been able to celebrate many sporting successes in recent years - that gives you self-confidence. But hand on heart: does your impairment affect you?

I would be lying if I said no. You can't explain away a disability. But sport has given me extreme independence and fitness, which enables me to do a lot. There are very few restrictions in my working life. Working from home is no longer a problem these days anyway. There were one or two things during my apprenticeship. For example, I couldn't take on every project that I would have liked to, because you had to be active at different locations and transfer material back and forth. But these are small things. But it is a fact that everyday life as a wheelchair user requires more time in other areas. For example, doing things around the house or personal hygiene.

What do you do without - professionally and privately?

I often hear from other top athletes that they do without things. Because the process of becoming a top athlete was so ongoing for me, I very rarely say that: I give up. Sport is so important to me - I would miss something without it. Sure, others go on vacation with friends in July. I, on the other hand, can't even say when I really took my last days off for a vacation. But missing it? No, I don't miss anything.

What qualities from your everyday sporting life can you use at work and vice versa?

Sport involves more and more things where you have to deal with administrative matters. My training gives me a clear advantage here and I can incorporate a lot of things. In turn, I take a lot from sport. Sport builds and shapes character. It increases stamina, determination and commitment - all things that are also important at work.


"I want to be able to develop as a person. No matter how many medals are on the wall."

What hurdles have you had to overcome? And which ones are you particularly proud of?

When I look back over the last ten years, I realize what I've achieved. I'm generally not an athlete who focuses on results. Sure, it's wonderful to celebrate World Cup victories, but life goes on after that. I want to be able to develop as a person. No matter how many medals are hanging on the wall. I like competing, but in the end I want to beat myself, improve and be proud of myself.

Is there any experience that you wouldn't want to miss under any circumstances?

During my apprenticeship, I was very insecure as a person. My boss at the time would confirm that. I never wanted to make mistakes and felt terrible if I didn't succeed at something. But that also inhibited me. Because sometimes you have to be braver and take a chance. My line manager then said to me: "In sport you just do it, at work you question it. Why?". This statement got me thinking and I asked myself which character traits and qualities from sport I should incorporate more into my life as a whole? I am very grateful for this input. That I was able to experience this process of learning and working on myself.

Compatibility measures at Swisscom: 

Flexible forms of work

  • Home office
  • Mobile working in Switzerland
  • Flexible working hours

More time for private life

  • Buying holidays
  • Unpaid holiday
  • Long-term account
  • Sabbatical (management)

Work model

  • Part-time (also on probation)
  • Job sharing

Further training programmes

  • 5 training & development days
  • Health programmes (stress management, self-management, etc.)

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Diversity Team

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