Mission Protectas: Émilie Chavelard

Who are you in a few words? 

My name is Émilie Chavelard, I am 25 years old, and I have been working as an HR Assistant for the French-speaking Switzerland region at Protectas since June 17, 2025. 

Originally from the southwest of France, I am passionate about sports, especially triathlon. I also enjoy creative activities such as sewing and baking.

I am a cheerful, positive person who is usually in a good mood. Alongside my professional responsibilities, I am currently preparing for the Swiss Federal Diploma in Human Resources. 

What motivated you to work at Protectas? 

When I applied to Protectas, I discovered an international company that has managed to maintain a close-knit and almost family-like atmosphere. The Group’s values strongly resonate with me. 

People are at the heart of the company’s concerns, whether it comes to well-being, professional development, or career growth. This was one of the aspects that immediately convinced me to join. 

Can you tell us about your beginnings at Protectas? 

I am still very much in this discovery phase. Every day, I learn more about the company, its activities, and its clients, who come from a wide variety of industries. 

All the people I have met so far, whether in operational roles or administrative functions, share Protectas’ three core values: integrity, vigilance, and helpfulness.

These values are reflected every day in the way people interact and carry out their work. 

What are you responsible for now? 

Today, I manage, in close collaboration with the Branch Manager Operations, the HR strategy for a department of approximately 200 employees. 

I also work closely with the recruitment and payroll teams. 

My responsibilities are varied. 

• On the administrative side, I manage the employee lifecycle from the very first day, including the preparation of employment contracts, support for personal changes (births, marriages, relocations, family allowance requests, retirement preparation, etc.), as well as professional developments (role changes, transfers, and service anniversaries). 
• On the human side, maintaining close relationships with employees is essential. We strive to build and preserve a relationship of trust and remain available to answer employees’ questions. My objective is to contribute to employees’ well-being within the company and at client sites while ensuring compliance with legal requirements, particularly labour law and the Swiss Code of Obligations. 

Confidentiality is also a key aspect of my role. We work daily with personal and sensitive information, which requires a high level of discretion and responsibility. 

What do you enjoy about your job? 

There is never time for routine to settle in because every day is different and brings its own challenges. 

Beyond the administrative side of the role, the relationships I build with security officers and managers enrich me both professionally and personally. I learn every day from the people around me. 

I also appreciate that every challenge creates an opportunity to develop new ideas and find creative solutions. 

What is your biggest challenge and how do you manage it? 

The administrative side of the job can sometimes take up a significant amount of time, especially since I support nearly 200 employees. This occasionally limits the time I can dedicate to employee relations and to developing new ideas aimed at improving employee well-being. 

To address this, we regularly exchange ideas and best practices with colleagues in order to optimize administrative processes and work more efficiently. 

Which value resonates most with you and why? (Integrity, Vigilance, Helpfulness) 

All three values are reflected in my daily work, but if I had to choose one, it would be vigilance. 

For me, it is at the heart of both my role and the role of our security officers. I work every day with personal and sensitive data that require a high level of attention. At the same time, our officers are responsible for ensuring the safety of people and property at our clients’ sites. 

Vigilance is therefore a fundamental value that guides all of us in our respective responsibilities. 

How do you feel about working as a woman in your profession? 

Within our HR team, we are predominantly women, but we work every day with many male colleagues. 

I am very happy to work in this environment. I find that the collaboration is enriching, and my colleagues are open to the advice I can provide and eager to learn more about HR-related topics. It is a two-way exchange: we learn from them, and they learn from us. 

What advice would you give to women who would like to work in the security sector? 

The security sector still has a predominantly male image, but I see many inspiring examples of successful female careers within Protectas. 

Some women started as security officers and now hold management positions. I find these professional journeys inspiring and encouraging for women who would like to enter the industry but may still hesitate. 

My advice is simple: believe in your abilities, dare to take the first step, and do not let stereotypes hold you back.