With the berufundfamilie audit, the German Diabetes Center (DDZ) has set itself the goal of sustainably increasing its attractiveness as an employer. For example, the DDZ executive board, the works council, the equal opportunities officer and employees cooperate in seeking flexible solutions when, for example, flexible working time models are needed for the care of family members and for structured reintegration after family leave. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Discussions with the people involved and individual approaches are essential,” said Andreas Fidelak, commercial director and member of the executive board of the German Diabetes Center (DDZ). Dr. Birgit Knebel, equal opportunities officer at the DDZ, added: “Offerings such as the use of our sports room, the parent-child room and the family service have been very well received. In this way, our employees can flexibly reconcile their work processes with their family and private life.”   

A requirement for being awarded the certificate, which is valid for three years, is a successful review in the berufundfamilie audit, which is offered by berufundfamilie Service GmbH (formerly part of the non-profit Hertie Foundation). The management instrument ensures that a family- and life-phase-conscious personnel policy and family-friendly working conditions are offered and implemented in a sustainable manner. The DDZ is among the 123 employers who have successfully passed the audit procedure of berufundfamilie or a family-friendly university for the third time. The audit is carried out under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.