saaris – saarland innovation und standort GmbH has been providing certification with the ‘family-friendly company’ seal of approval for more than 14 years. They have set up a ‘work and life in Saarland’ service centre, supported by the Saarland state government, chambers, and the European Social Fund in Saarland. Certification is free for SMEs (small and medium enterprises) based in Saarland.
In January and February, the agency was able to award the seal to two state institutions: the Saarland state parliament and the Ministry of Education and Culture.
saaris’s CEO Rita Gindorf-Wagner praises the two bodies’ efforts and touted their family-friendly measures: ‘Both the state parliament and the Ministry of Education have continually promoted and improved balancing family with a career. This benefits everyone and everything: employees, the work environment, and even the quality of work. Recertification highlights their success. The seal may also serve as motivation for other public and private operations to develop further in this area.’
Seal of approval awarded to the Saarland state parliament –
first recertification
The state parliament was first awarded this seal of quality in 2021. It began working towards recertification in June 2024.
When the certificate and seal were awarded by saaris’s CEO Rita Gindorf-Wagner on 3 February, the president of the state parliament Heike Winzent emphasised: ‘The ability to balance family with a career is hugely important for the state administration. Colleagues with or without family obligations should have the same development opportunities and promotion prospects.’
The state parliament is also competing with attractive companies on the labour market for the best new recruits and experienced workers. In terms of dealing with ‘family and career’, it was rated particularly highly for the equal development opportunities and promotion prospects guaranteed to all employees, whether or not they have family obligations. The state parliament has concluded corresponding service and target agreements to show that it takes balancing a career with family requirements seriously. In recent years, these have related to ensuring even more flexible working hours and providing a transparent information policy regarding family, parenthood and care.
Third recertification for the Ministry of Education and Culture
In January, saaris also once again confirmed the Ministry of Education as being a ‘family-friendly company’.
They identified an ongoing process of improvement as regards balancing family with a career. The Ministry gained its first certification in 2016, before being recertified for the first time in 2018 and then again in 2021.
‘Our employees are our greatest asset. Their well-being and satisfaction is hugely important to us. We are therefore continually investing in measures that take their private needs into account and promote a togetherness focusing on family-friendliness and mutual respect’, state secretary Jessica Heide said upon accepting the seal of quality.
Especially as a public-sector employer, the Ministry of Education and Culture is seeking to set a good example to the business community when it comes to balancing family with a career. The Ministry sets huge store by family, as this forms the foundation for ensuring satisfied, motivated staff.
