An independent jury has recognized Waelzholz for its efforts to improve the work-life balance of its employees. This was now the second time that the company was awarded the title of family-friendly company for its locations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The award is based on a certification process in which a jury assesses the general conditions at the workplace, the employee benefits offered, and the company’s overall corporate culture.
Waelzholz receives award for promoting a healthy work-life balance
“We are delighted to once again be recognized as a family-friendly company. This proves that we are on the right path when it comes to supporting our specialists and managers with family responsibilities. But the award is also an incentive for us to continue our efforts to help employees achieve a healthy balance between career and family life and to further expand our activities, particularly in the multi-shift production areas,” explained Thomas Höll, head of HR at the Waelzholz Group. The jury, led by Competentia NRW – Center of Excellence for Working Women, also consisted of representatives from the South Westphalian Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Hagen, Märkischer Arbeitgeberverband (employers’ association), the Hagen Agency for Economic Development, and agenturmark.
From health promoting benefits to part-time management
The certification, which is valid for three years, focused on a wide range of aspects designed to improve employees’ work-life balance – the jury examined the general conditions in the workplace as well as the employee benefits offered and the company’s corporate culture. The jury particularly praised the following measures taken by Waelzholz:
- Health promoting benefits
- Management training
- Part-time management
- Childcare during summer break
- Assistance for employees in the event of personal emergencies
“In many families today, both parents work. In addition, the demands of everyday family life and job requirements have risen sharply in recent decades,” explained Tanja De Liello, HR officer at the Hagen site. “As a family-owned and operated company, we believe we have a particular responsibility to support our employees with suitable measures.” One example of this is personalized work schedules, for instance when an employee is only assigned to the early shift because they have to care for relatives. In addition, for the first time in the company’s history, Waelzholz is making it possible to work as a manager part-time. This is an important milestone toward facilitating the compatibility of family and work. “These examples work particularly well for us when all employees get behind such solutions and support each other. We are extremely proud that our company has such a positive family culture,” Höll added.
The Waelzholz summer camp for kids: support for working parents
Which working parents aren’t familiar with this pressing question: how do you ensure that children have adequate childcare during summer break when both parents are at work? This is why Waelzholz has established a camp for children between the ages of 6 and 12. During summer breaks, the camp organizes daily excursions for the youngsters over a two-week period. The program includes outdoor experiences with environmental education as well as fun physical activities, for example a visit to a high ropes course. As De Liello explains, “we have received a lot of positive feedback from our employees about our family-friendly measures such as this one. The fact that our efforts have once again been recognized as a family-friendly company encourages and motivates us to continue on this successful path.”
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