Leuphana receives FamilienSiegel for North-East Lower Saxony

15 years ago the FaMi seal for north-east Lower Saxony was introduced as part of a joint initiative. Since then, Leuphana has not only been one of the most family-friendly employers in the region. Brigitte Kaminski from the FaMi seal North-East Lower Saxony joint initiative emphasised that Leuphana has also always been one of the seal holders with the highest scores: it achieved 98% in the family-friendliness assessment, placing it among the top group. 

Monique Lutermann from the employers' association emphasised that Leuphana is one of the most popular employers in the region thanks to offers such as further training, employee sports and flexible working hours. Family friendliness leads to higher employee satisfaction, which is reflected in lower sick leave and, above all, lower staff turnover.

While childcare and the expansion of mobile working were the main focus in the past, the topic of care is currently taking centre stage. Daniel Simons, chair of the staff council, emphasises that Leuphana already had a service agreement on care in place before the Federal Care Leave Act was introduced. By addressing employees directly about this, they felt more confident about exercising their rights. Hannah Brandenburg from the Family Service reported in this context on the frequently occurring problem that relatives in need of care do not live locally and therefore have to be cared for ‘at a distance’. To better inform employees, regular information is provided on this topic, as well as the annual online event series ‘Focus on Care’.

Last but not least, Dr Kathrin van Riesen, Leuphana's central equal opportunities officer, emphasised that, in addition to the high proportion of women among professors, the fact that members of the executive committee take parental leave sends a positive signal to the university community that it is possible to balance family responsibilities not only in administration but also in academia.

Since 2010, the FaMi seal, short for Familienfreundlichkeit im Mittelstand (family-friendliness in middle class), has been awarded to employers in north-east Lower Saxony who are particularly committed to promoting a good work-life balance. Those who wish to receive the FaMi seal must complete a detailed application form every three years and also demonstrate new measures for further developing their own family-friendliness in each round.

The joint initiative Familiensiegel includes the inter-company association Frau & Wirtschaft Lüneburg. Uelzen e.V., the Lüneburg-Wolfsburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the German Trade Union Confederation Region North-East Lower Saxony e.V., the Economic Development Agency mbH City and District of Lüneburg, the Employers' Association North-East Lower Saxony e.V., Leuphana University Lüneburg and the Braunschweig-Lüneburg-Stade Chamber of Crafts. The aim of the initiative, which is active throughout north-east Lower Saxony, is to promote and raise awareness of efforts to improve the compatibility of family and career in companies.