The Road Is Open
At SD Worx, we’ve never been afraid to take the road less travelled. This value is a reflection of our pioneering spirit - our willingness to explore what’s next, challenge what’s familiar, and remain open to change. From our earliest days in payroll to today’s AI-powered future, The Road is Open means growth, both as a company and as individuals. It reminds us that every career path is unique. That no two teams are the same. And that development happens when we step forward - even if the road ahead is unfamiliar.
In this chapter, you’ll find quotes from colleagues who have embraced that mindset. Whether it’s about taking on a new role, learning something unexpected, or helping others grow, each reflection is a small window into what The Road is Open means in real life.
This chapter celebrates the courage to move, the curiosity to learn, and the mindset to keep going. Because progress doesn’t happen in leaps. Sometimes, it starts with a single choice to try something new.
"SD Worx celebrates 80 years. What a story! From a small Flemish startup and non-profit organisation to an international corporation with a turnover of more than 1 billion euros, 10,000 employees, and a presence in 26 countries. None of this would have been possible without the hard work of our employees and the trust of more than 95,000 customers. A word of deep gratitude is therefore in order.
SD Worx is in excellent health and will continue this beautiful journey. Of that I’m sure."
— Filip Dierckx - Chairman Board of Directors SD Worx - Belgium
"The value I really identify myself with is “the road is open”.
From the moment I joined SD Worx (first as consultant, later as employee) I have felt that drive to do better, to explore opportunities, to invest in our people & our customers. I feel my personal career journey embodies there’s also a belief at management level to invest in young people who can bring that dynamic forward. Over the last years I’ve had to “slap myself in the face” more than once when I realized what I was doing and where I was playing. SD Worx & Protime thus embody an environment of opportunity, trust and fun for me."
— Gille Sebrechts - Chief Digital Officer & Executive Vice President Workforce Management, International, SD Worx SAP Solutions, UK & Ireland – SD Worx People Solutions - Belgium
"For me, SD Worx is a river with a constant stream of changes and chances.
Many of these chances are in reach for you as employee, and you are free to take a side stream if and when that suits you. But for some of the changes, one just need to ‘go with the flow’, the force of the stream then takes it over for you. The river has a very solid riverbed, still can meander in view of long-term goals."
— Mattias Leveugle - Finance Director Adriatics - CEE - DACH -
Nordics & Finance Post-Merger Integrations/Mergers & Acquisitions – SD Worx People Solutions - Belgium
"What energises me most at SD Worx is the feeling that the road is wide open. This company is a true goldmine, full of talent, strong customer relationships and both tangible and cultural building blocks. With our new strategy and the acceleration in digital and AI, I genuinely believe we are creating a new power engine at the heart of SD Worx. The openness, creativity and collaboration I experience every day give me confidence in our future and inspire me to contribute to it."
Erika Rönnquist Hoh – Managing Director Sweden & Denmark
"After more than a decade as an entrepreneur, I was looking for a place where I could grow, connect, and breathe freely. SD Worx gave me exactly that. Transitioning into my role as Service Delivery Manager was a big step, but I found the perfect team and a culture that welcomed me with open arms. Being part of the first Spark Joyners and travelling to Belgium for Strategy Days was unforgettable. It showed me how diverse, dynamic, and people-driven this company truly is. Life at SD Worx is never dull: I love the challenges, the energy, and the passion that runs through everything we do. At SD Worx, every day is an opportunity to live fully and make a difference.
My motto is ‘Why be ordinary, when you can be extraordinary’. That’s why I work at SD Worx."
—Sarika Jutton - Customer Advocacy Manager – SD Worx People Solutions - Mauritius
"For me, SD Worx means pride and growth. Born and raised around Antwerp, I feel a sense of pride working for a Belgian company with the ambition and drive to lead the European HR landscape. But it’s more than pride, it’s about the personal journey.
SD Worx has given me countless opportunities to grow, not just as a finance professional, but as a person. I’m grateful for what I’ve learned here, and excited for the road ahead."
— Wim Dhondt - Head of Finance Operations – SD Worx People Solutions - Belgium
"When I joined SD Worx, coming from a consulting background, I was used to frequently changing environments.I was certain that within two years I'd grow restless and move on. However, something unexpected happened: SD Worx itself kept evolving, continuously reshaping and reinventing its own landscape. Every transformation brought fresh opportunities, challenges, and excitement. What truly anchored me here are the people. It’s the colleagues who’ve become genuine friends, partners in both work and life, who make this place special. At SD Worx, it's never just about business, it's about genuine connections, mutual trust, and shared journeys. What energises me most is seeing others grow, helping them reach higher potential, and breaking down complex concepts into clear, simple ideas that everyone can understand. I've stayed longer than I ever imagined, inspired daily by this vibrant community and the belief that together, we can achieve incredible things.
SD Worx is more than a workplace; it's a family I've proudly chosen for life."
— Didier Bephage - Capability Manager - SD Worx People Solutions - Mauritius
"Since the beginning of this year, Sodalis and Geonex have become proud members of the SD family. While our shared journey is still in its early days, the openness and willingness to collaborate we've experienced have been truly energising. At Sodalis, we continue to embrace our flexible and personal approach - just as our SME customers expect - but we also believe in building bridges, not doing it alone. Together, we are stronger. Already, we’re seeing exciting initiatives take shape: our teams are gaining access to the deep expertise within SD Worx, SD Consult is supporting our clients with tailored solutions around cafeteria plans and mobility budgets, and we’re joining forces with Sodeco to pursue international leads. These are partnerships that, just a few months ago, would have seemed out of reach.
It’s a promising start, one that’s opening new doors and creating fresh opportunities for our people and our customers alike. The vibe is positive, the momentum is real, and the future looks bright."
— Stijn Van Houdenhove - Managing Director Sodalis - Belgium
"From HR Coordinator to Recruitment Lead, my SD Worx journey has been nothing short of a fantastic rollercoaster! This place is all about embracing flexibility and supercharging your growth, and I've loved every single side of it. What truly gets my energy buzzing and creates a huge grin on my face? Seeing the amazing folks I've recruited absolutely crush it and grow into their roles! What's more amazing is that SD Worx even lets me unleash my inner rockstar potential with the SD Worx band (SD Rocx), living the music dream. And the international exposure here is a constant, thrilling challenge that keeps me on my toes and pulls me right out of my comfort zone, in the best way possible!
This whole vibe of pushing boundaries, learning non-stop, and always driving forward? That's the real SD Worx magic for me."
— Hans Govinden - Recruitment Lead - SD Worx People Solutions - Mauritius
“I joined SD Worx certain in the will and vision to grow and excel. Now, two years down the line I can confidently say that we are overcoming the challenges of the changing market and are ready to tackle the future ones. With our ability to learn, share, and consult with great colleagues who face similar situations across different markets and cultures it is inevitable we turn problems into practical solutions. This more than anything else makes me certain we can tackle everything coming our way.”
Filip Romanic Kristensen – Tribe Lead for Products Adriatic – SD Worx People Solutions - Croatia
"With SD Worx, it often feels like looking into a mirror.
The essence of who I am is reflected in the way we work at SD Worx: driven by growth, open to change, curious to explore new paths, and focused on people. We are eager to create an environment that encourages trying new things and provides opportunities and space for personal development."
— Lucia Ochando - Director SME Germany - SD Worx People Solutions - Germany
"SD Worx is woven into my entire professional journey. I took my first steps in 2001 at Zeno, already a subsidiary of SD Worx at the time. Since then, I’ve been involved in various roles and periods in projects that have shaped the sector, such as the social elections, Flex Income Plan, and soon also Buddy, SD Worx’s new payroll solution. Since 2016, that story has continued through Teal Partners, the company I co-founded with Koen Denies, with SD Worx as our first client - and still our largest client today. Since 2021, we’ve also formally become family, with SD Worx as majority shareholder and represented on our board of directors.
To me, SD Worx symbolises both continuity and innovation: a place where I continually draw energy from building impactful, sometimes even disruptive solutions in a sector that touches everyone. That shared ambition to keep raising the bar is what has made me feel closely connected to SD Worx for 24 years."
Jelle Huygen - Founding Partner Teal Partners - Belgium
"For me, The Road is Open is more than a value, it’s an invitation to create.
At SD Worx, you truly have the freedom to shape your own path and influence our own common path, and if you’re passionate and convinced, you’ll be supported every step of the way. That’s so unique in a large organisation, but it’s what makes this place special. We believe in each other, we trust in each other, and that’s why we succeed together.
What makes me proud is that, despite our size, hierarchy doesn’t stand in the way of real conversations. Everyone is approachable, every idea counts, and we encourage people to dare, dare to innovate, dare to make mistakes, because that’s how we grow. Add to that our European diversity, which I see as a real strength, and you understand why I feel at home here. At SD Worx, the future is ours to build, openly, honestly and together."
— Patrick Barazzoni - Executive Vice President DACH, CEE, Italy, Adriatic and Nordics – SD Worx People Solutions - Germany
"I see my time at SD Worx as an adventure
- a period marked by a variety of tasks, constant change, and the pursuit of new paths, occasionally overcoming obstacles, mastering new challenges, gaining many experiences, receiving recognition from satisfied customers, and finding joy in what I do."
— Petra Klemz - Advisor Managed Services – SD Worx People Solutions - Germany
