The project team "audit berufundfamilie" at ZMT(left to right): Dr. Janine Reinhard, Dr. Donata Monien (project head) and Elke Kasper | Photo: Matej Meza, ZMT

23/06/2021 | The Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) has been awarded the "audit berufundfamilie" certificate for the second time for its family- and life-phase-conscious personnel policy. On 22 June, the research institute’s commitment was honoured at an online event that. Among the well-wishers was Federal Minister for Family Affairs Christine Lambrecht, whose ministry is the patron of the audit. She send her greetings  and congratulation via a live transmission.

The "audit berufundfamilie" certificate, which is valid for three years, is a seal of quality for a family-conscious human resources policy and is awarded by the berufundfamilie Service GmbH board of trustees. After the first certification in 2018, ZMT now successfully underwent the re-auditing process, during which the status quo of the existing family- and life-phase-conscious measures were reviewed and the compatibility policy and culture at ZMT were deepened.

ZMT already offers its more than 150 employees a wide range of options for reconciling work and family life. This includes very extensive flexibility in the organisation of working hours and the place of work. There is a good exchange between the employees, in which compatibility issues are also discussed. Staff development is supported by mentoring, and there is an increased focus on leisure and health activities. ZMT provides day-care places for its employees and offers families the opportunity to bring their children to work and to use the parent-child room.

Dr. Donata Monien, project manager of the "audit berufundfamilie" at ZMT, is pleased about the renewed award. “With the re-audit, we can further develop existing offers and embed them in our current organisational structures, especially in work organisation and staff development,” says Monien. “So the focus this time is less on new measures and more on maintaining and expanding good practice”

Work is now underway, for example, to specifically expand the information and communication offerings on the topic of “care” and to develop leadership principles and training and further education for managers. Procedures and instruments are also to be created to deal well with compatibility issues in the context of human resources development.

Dr Nicolas Dittert, managing director of the institute, adds: " ZMT sees an appreciative approach to the compatibility of work and family as a matter of course. “In fair cooperation and on the principle of reciprocity, we try to take into account the family requirements of all employees.”

About the audit berufundfamilie certificate

As of 31 May, the Board of Trustees of berufundfamilie Service GmbH awarded or confirmed the “berufundfamilie audit” or “audit family-friendly university” certificate to 86 employers. ZMT is one of 79 employers that have been re-assessed in the context of a re-audit or dialogue procedure. The certificate proves that the employers have successfully completed the auditing or dialogue procedure offered by berufundfamilie Service GmbH and thus (continue to) sustainably shape the compatibility of work or study, family and private life by means of a strategic process. During the three-year term of the certificate, the main indicators of their commitment are their individually prepared target agreements and action programmes. berufundfamilie Service GmbH audits the practical implementation annually.

https://www.berufundfamilie.de/zertifikat-audit-berufundfamilie/auszeichnung