Certification Family-friendly University

In November 2010, Heidelberg University was certified as a “family-friendly“ university for the first time. In 2023, the re-auditing process took place, in which the current objectives and measures were evaluated by berufundfamilie gGmbH. Heidelberg University was subsequently re-certified for the fifth time.

The certificate is awarded by berufundfamilie gGmbH, an initiative of the non-profit Hertie Foundation, to universities and colleges that pursue a family-friendly personnel policy and create a work environment for employees, researchers and students that guarantees a balance between work/study and family life.

The basis of Heidelberg University's success is a program that encompasses a range of offers and measures, including the organisation of working hours, extended childcare, a dual-career service, and opportunities for part-time study.

Program of Action (DE)

Fields of Actions

Work, research and study time
Work, research and study organisation
Work, research and study location
Information and communication
Leadership competence
Personnel development and academic qualification
Payment components, nonmonetary perquisites, and funding for students
Services for families

News

Universität

Universität Heidelberg erneut als „Familienfreundliche Hochschule“ bestätigt

Measures (Selection)

Clearing Service

"Academia & Family"

This Service supports recent mothers in negotiating with the head of their department, hospital or research group to work out constructive conditions for the continuation of their academic careers in the following years.

Service & Advice

Dual Career Service

The Dual Career Service provides extensive information and counseling to support the partners and families of newly-hired professors and postdoctoral researchers at Heidelberg University.

Service & Advice

Service for Families

Offers and measures concerning the support of families

Measures

Family Apartments in Student Residences

Housing offers of the Studierendenwerk and other agencies for student families and single parents.

Project

"Work Life Balance" (DE)

Survey of university researchers by the Chair of Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Partners

"Bündnis für Familie Heidelberg" (DE)

Association of companies, institutions, and citizens to improve the compatibility of work and family life in Heidelberg.

Ideas & Suggestions

We welcome ideas for both big and small changes to promote family-friendly work and academic conditions. What do you think are the ideal conditions for study/work and life balance at the university? Whether it’s child education, caring for family members or living as a couple – what services would help you, what services could the university add to existing ones?

Give your ideas free reign and don’t worry about how to make them a reality – we want to know them all. Please send your suggestions via e-mail to the Equal Opportunities Office: gleichstellungsbuero@urz.uni-heidelberg.de

POSSIBLE SUBJECT AREAS

Part-time study, work from home, or cutting work hours
Balancing family and career while working full-time
Contact with the university during parental leave or while family members are in care
Organising the work day around children or family members needing care
Supporting children or the elderly while at work
Support options for family emergencies
Regular support services
Equipment in cafeteria, library, and university facilities

Participating Institutions

Deutsch

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