Audit of a Family-Friendly University
On June 18, 2024, HSZG was awarded the“Family-Friendly University” certificate for the first time by berufundfamilie Service GmbH in Berlin. Behind this award, of course, is an entire team of various university members who, in 2023, developed and discussed concepts, goals, and measures in two separate workshops and finalized them together with the auditor from berufundfamilie. The results of these workshops include a brief profile approved by both the HSZG and berufundfamilie, as well as a target agreement that outlines all goals and associated measures for the next three years.
But why are we doing all this....
The goal of the audit is to recognize university members at different stages of life and to value their achievements and them as individuals. This also applies to all university members who do not have family responsibilities. It fosters an awareness of mindful coexistence and identifies or encourages solutions to family-friendly responsibilities that take into account the interests of both the university and its members.
In the coming years, the focus will be on highlighting existing services for all university members and affiliates, as well as on further developing existing measures, which will be optimized where necessary and presented transparently to everyone on appropriate platforms.
"Family"
"At the HSCG, family is understood as a multi-generational group of people who support each other emotionally and in solidarity, regardless of whether they live together or not.
This includes not only traditional nuclear families (heterosexual parents and their children), but also same-sex partnerships with children or single parents, as well as people who care for their parents or who take on delegated care responsibilities (guardianship, care).
At the same time, the HSCA would like to open up its definition of family and respond appropriately to the needs of people who have special constellations of family-like relationships and obligations (e.g. care work for third-degree relatives or in multi-local families)."
"Leadership"
"As part of the implementation of the audit objectives, managers (including professors with staff) are expected to act as role models and support family issues wherever possible. They take responsibility and are aware of the target agreement and the measures offered for child and care issues. They inform their employees and students about these offers. In their communication, they convey the spirit of the target agreement and ensure the transfer of knowledge.
Managers are characterized by public spirit, decision-making competence and backbone. They have the courage and ability to act proactively."