Equal Opportunities at Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht

Career and Family Need Not Be Mutually Exclusive

Michael Ganß (right) accepts the certificate from State Secretary Jochen Homann from Germany’s Ministry of Economics and Technology. [Photo: berufundfamilie gGmbH]

An increasing number of companies and institutions of higher education in Germany are implementing family-friendly human resources policies. More than 600 employers are already using the audit berufundfamilie certificate as a seal of quality that recognizes their efforts to reconcile the demands of career and family.

On 30 June 2008, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Research Centre in Geesthacht was also honoured for its family-friendly policies when Germany’s Minister of Family Affairs, Ursula von der Leyen, and State Secretary Jochen Homann from the Ministry of Economics and Technology presented Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht with the audit berufundfamilie certificate in Berlin.

The audit examined the measures Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht has implemented for many years in an effort to reconcile the conflicting demands of career and family. It also served as a basis for the development of additional programs. The broad range of family-friendly Human Resources measures at Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht includes flexible working hours, a company daycare centre and teleworking programs.

Following a new audit in spring 2011, the HZG was once again honored with the audit berufundfamilie certificate.

Dorit Wegner und Elina Valli

Employees at Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht’ Teltow facility and other locations can expect to benefit in the future from the organization’s child care concept.

The audit berufundfamilie certificate is presented by berufundfamilie gGmbH — an initiative of the non-profit Hertie Foundation. The certificate is issued under the patronage of Germany’s Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Minister of Economics and Technology, Michael Glos.