Family-Friendly University: Certification

Balancing work, study and family

Heidelberg University was certified as a “family-friendly” university in November 2010. The certificate is awarded to universities and colleges that pursue family-friendly personnel policies and create a work environment for employees, researchers and students that guarantees a balance between work/study and family life.

Certification was preceded by an audit by berufundfamilie gGmbH, an initiative of the non-profit Hertie Foundation. The objectives of the audit were to:

• Conduct an accredited external evaluation of existing activities at Heidelberg University that promote balance between work/study and family
• Introduce new measures and expanding proven offerings that lead to an improvement for all employees and members of the university [more...]

Following the audit, a catalogue of objectives was compiled including 71 measures in the nine spheres of action. To meet the various needs of university employees, numerous stakeholders and parties from all areas of Heidelberg University took part in the process.

Previous and future initiatives