The Federal Statistical Office is running out of cash – inside Paradeplatz

On a personal level, 2023 may have been a great year for Mr. Ulrich.

He traveled to the USA, Canada, Sweden, England, Ireland, Luxembourg, Albania, Austria and France.

Georg Simon Ulrich is Director of the BFS and Vice-Chairman of the United Nations Statistical Commission.

You have to show your presence.

On the professional level, the situation is different.

The Europa 10 square in Neuchâtel caught fire. Dissatisfaction among employees is high.

In order to pay the current wages, 11 million francs had to be liquidated and reserves created.

Statisticians now have to check their numbers carefully. “BFS continually reviews its missions and potential savings,” she said in response to a request.

There is talk of blatant mismanagement. Expensive team events and events leave a gap. External consultants are inspecting the place.

Information technology in particular consumes enormous amounts of money. Statisticians complain that we always have to take on new tasks.

The need is so great that wages are at risk.

The informant wrote that a credit freeze should have been issued last fall to ensure payment.

It is said from Neuchâtel that wages are guaranteed. But: “The financial situation of the Federal Statistical Office (BFS) is tense.”

The unstable situation affects ongoing operations.

Many projects have been put on hold, according to one insider: “Project staff are twiddling their thumbs in the office and waiting to see what happens next.”

Ulrich is actually responsible for this. But the travel lover is a special kind of escape artist.

In the last federal election, the Fed mixed up the numbers and had to correct the data afterwards.

In other countries, it is a reason for resignation. President Ulrich didn't think so at the time.

“The important thing is that you stand there.”

He completed his PhD at the University of Southern Queensland. The beach, not far.

He wrote his thesis not in statistics, but in stakeholder management and communication. He's really good at it.