VZP Wanted to Pay "Golden Parachutes" to Zeman's Former Spokesman and the Ousted Director's Partner

Pojišťovna VZP, the commercial subsidiary of the Czech Republic's largest health insurer VZP, drew up generous severance deals — so-called "golden parachutes" — for seven employees shortly before its long-serving director was dismissed. This is revealed in a fresh audit report by Deloitte, commissioned by the insurer's new management.

At the end of February last year, Zdeněk Kabátek was dismissed after thirteen years at the helm of VZP; Health Minister Adam Vojtěch (ANO) explained the move by saying he had lost trust in him. Shortly before that dismissal, a number of employees at the commercial subsidiary began receiving so-called non-compete clauses — terms under which, if let go, a person would still receive a full salary for another year.

Who received golden parachutes

According to the audit, one recipient of such a clause was Jiří Ovčáček, former spokesman for President Miloš Zeman, who worked at the insurance company as a PR and communications coordinator. The agreement included not only a payout equal to twelve months' salary, but also a ban on taking a similar job with competitors. Ovčáček himself says the clause was simply brought to him for signature, and that he never negotiated its terms.

A similar "golden parachute" was granted from February to Barbora Šatauerová, who worked at the company as an assistant. She is the life partner of Kabátek, VZP's dismissed director. Kabátek firmly denies that the clause was arranged at his request. In total, seven people received such terms in February — besides Ovčáček and two assistants, these included a key account manager, the head of the marketing department, and two marketing specialists.

Auditors flag questionable decisions

The Deloitte report states plainly: "We recommend a detailed review of whether the conclusion of these clauses, as well as the manner and timing of their drafting, ran contrary to the interests of Pojišťovna VZP." The auditors were especially doubtful about the agreement with the assistant who is the ex-director's partner: "Concluding a non-compete clause for an assistant's position, given the nature of the work performed, appears unusual." Regarding Ovčáček, the report notes that as a "politically significant figure," he deserves closer scrutiny of his employment relationship and pay.

Robert Kareš, the former head of the subsidiary who ran it until May this year, insists the decisions were justified. According to him, the assistants were far from rank-and-file employees: one had worked at the company for almost thirty years, the other for many years as well, and both took part in strategic meetings and held valuable know-how. He described the drafting of the clauses as the outcome of a "two-year process" initiated from below — by the employees themselves — given that the company was preparing new projects.

A controversial but useful figure

Kareš called Ovčáček's work unambiguously valuable for the business: he knew how to engage foreign audiences on social media — potential customers for foreigner insurance — which helped the company capture 47% of the market in that segment. "He's a controversial character, but for us he was an excellent employee," Kareš said.

After the change of leadership at VZP and its subsidiary, Ovčáček left the company — but without the payout under the clause, which the new management cancelled along with the other similar agreements. Insurance company spokeswoman Eva Rubešová declined to say whether the non-fulfilment of the non-compete clauses had led to lawsuits, noting only that the new leadership had introduced "expected and standard" rules regarding such agreements.

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Source: seznamzpravy.cz