Data Protection Provisions and Terms of Use for Candidates

1. Introduction

The protection of your privacy is an important concern for BLS Ltd. and its Group companies (BLS Netz AG, BLS Fernverkehr AG, Busland AG, BLS Immobilien AG, BLS Cargo AG and BLS Schifffahrt AG) (hereinafter referred to as BLS). In the following Data Protection Provisions, we explain which personal data we collect, why we collect this data, and how we process it.

The company named in the advert is responsible for the collection, processing and use of your personal data:

BLS Ltd. (incl. BLS Netz AG, BLS Fernverkehr AG, BLS Immobilien AG)
Genfergasse 11, 3001 Bern

BLS Cargo AG
Bollwerk 27, 3001 Bern

Busland AG
Bucherstrasse 1, 3400 Burgdorf

BLS Schifffahrt AG
Lachenweg 19, 3604 Thun

2. Scope

The following information applies to all natural persons whose personal data is processed in the application procedure. Personal data refers to all information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person.

The current Data Privacy Statement is for your information and is not part of a contract between you and BLS.

The "Data Protection Provisions and Terms of Use for Candidates" apply in addition to the existing Data Privacy Statement when you visit the website.

3. Purpose of data processing

Your personal data will only be processed to carry out the application process and to fill the vacancy. In this context, the personal data that you submit with your application will be stored in our application system. This applies in particular to your personal details (first name, surname, date of birth), your correspondence data (postal address, telephone number) and e-mail address as well as your application documents (cover letter, CV, certificates, references) and other information and documents that you send to BLS with your application. Depending on the situation, we may also obtain data from publicly accessible sources such as LinkedIn, Xing or other professional networks. With your consent, we may also obtain information from your previous employers (e.g. for references).

In particular, we process your personal data

• to check your suitability for the position,
• to be able to contact you,
• to carry out non-personalised statistical analyses (e.g. reporting),
• to inform you about new vacancies if you have subscribed to the job newsletter. Underage applicants expressly declare that they are only applying with the consent of their legal guardian. As a rule, we do not use automated decision-making in the application process. Should this be the case as an exception, we will inform you separately.

Underage applicants expressly declare that they are only applying with the consent of their legal guardian.

As a rule, we do not use automated decision-making in the application process. Should this be the case as an exception, we will inform you separately.

4. Access to your personal data

You can receive information about data concerning you that is stored by us at any time and can also edit or delete it at any time via your candidate profile. You can also check the status of your application in your candidate profile, withdraw it, read the Data Privacy Statement or delete your profile. Both of these will result in the immediate withdrawal of all outstanding applications.

5. Data transfer

If you apply via WhatsApp, your personal data will be processed on the system of our software partner PitchYou GmbH, Campusallee 9, D-51379 Leverkusen. Metadata and personal data may also be transferred to the USA. In addition, BLS processes and stores your personal data on the system of its software partner Refline AG, Baarermattstrasse 10, CH-6340 Baar. When applying for a job at Busland AG, your personal data will be processed and stored on the system of our software partner Ostendis AG, Seetalstrasse 35, CH-5706 Boniswil.

In the context of a specific application, only defined employees of the Human Resources department and persons involved in the recruitment process within BLS have access to the personal data you have provided. Unless you inform us otherwise, we reserve the right to accept and consider your application for other suitable positions within BLS.

Depending on the position, BLS can work with recruitment agencies or commission specialised partner companies for suitability checks such as assessments, medical or psychological fitness examinations. If an additional suitability check is necessary, we will inform you which data we pass on to which partner company. In order to protect your personal data during the suitability checks and prevent misuse, BLS signs an order data processing agreement with the partner companies it commissions.

6. Disclosure on data processing abroad

In certain situations, processing is carried out by authorised third parties (see section 5). These may be located abroad, usually in the EU (European Union) or the EEA as well as in the United Kingdom.

7. Storage and deletion of personal data

Your candidate profile, i.e. CV, references and master data, will be deleted after 12 months of inactivity. If you log in to your profile, this is considered confirmation of the Data Privacy Statement and your profile will then be extended for a further 12 months. Your application-specific data, such as application documents relating to unsuccessful applications for positions at BLS, will be automatically deleted within 12 months of the end of the application process or after you withdraw your application. The 12-month data retention period ensures that you do not have to take part in the same application-related clarifications, such as assessments, medical or psychological fitness examinations, more than once. In certain cases, e.g. to fulfil legal (statutory, regulatory) or internal requirements (e.g. evidence), data may be stored beyond the periods mentioned. 

Personal data concerning successful applicants will be handled in accordance with the employee Privacy Policy, which will be made available to you when you join the relevant position. In this case, your data will be transferred to the personnel dossier. 

8. Rights of data subjects

You have the right to request information about which data concerning you is being processed. For this purpose, we ask you to send us an identification card. Please send your request for information to:

BLS Ltd.
Data Protection Advisor
Genfergasse 11
3001 Bern
datenschutz@bls.ch

You also have the right to request that incorrect information be corrected or that your personal data be deleted at any time. Please contact our HR department for this.

BLS Ltd.
Personnel
Genfergasse 11
3001 Bern
HRServices@bls.ch

9. Liability

You apply electronically at your responsibility and risk. The liability of BLS is excluded to the extent permitted by law. Swiss law shall apply, to the exclusion of the conflict of laws provisions of Swiss Private International Law (IPRG). The place of jurisdiction is Bern.   

10. Amendment of the Data Protection Provisions and Terms of Use

BLS may amend these Data Protection Provisions at any time without prior notice. The current version published on our website applies.

Last amended: February 2024