(Unna, June 28, 2016) Every four years, the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth recognizes Germany’s most family-friendly companies through the "Erfolgsfaktor Familie" competition. Following the Otto Heinemann Award in 2015, this marks the second nationwide recognition of ExTox’s comprehensive "Work and Family" program.
At ExTox, the company philosophy places families at the heart of everything it does. This commitment creates a working environment in which employees and their families are valued as an integral part of the company.
Family friendliness is a core principle that shapes ExTox’s entire HR strategy. Families are regarded as one of the company’s greatest assets, and every personnel policy is aligned with supporting employees in balancing their professional and family lives. For Managing Director Ludger Osterkamp, promoting work–life balance is a top management responsibility and a natural part of everyday business. This approach helps build long-term employee loyalty and strengthens ExTox as an employer.
ExTox supports working parents in many different ways to help them balance their family and professional responsibilities. For example, the company covers childcare costs in full for children up to the age of six and also organizes holiday childcare during school breaks. Employees’ children are always welcome at the company and have access to dedicated play and activity areas. The same open-door philosophy extends to employees’ parents. Recognizing the growing importance of elder care, ExTox has trained two employee care advisors to support colleagues who are caring for family members. In addition, a dedicated "Parents' Consultation Day" brings older generations into the company community.
A flexible trust-based working time model allows employees to organize their work around their family commitments. Rather than relying on a rigid set of policies, ExTox deliberately takes an individual approach. Arrangements are tailored to each employee’s personal circumstances, ensuring the flexibility needed to adapt to changing life situations.
Employee well-being is further supported by a dedicated Workplace Well-being Manager, who looks after all aspects of creating a positive working environment. This includes organizing company events, promoting healthy nutrition in the workplace, and coordinating initiatives that encourage physical fitness and overall health.
These values are even reflected in the company’s own band, whose original songs celebrate many of the themes that define life at ExTox. Another unique tradition is the company’s own annual holiday.
On June 28, Federal Minister for Family Affairs Manuela Schwesig honored Germany’s most family-friendly employers during the inaugural Family Business Day, recognizing the winners of the Federal Ministry’s "Erfolgsfaktor Familie 2016" competition.
(Source: Hans-Christian Plambeck)
About the "Erfolgsfaktor Familie 2016" Competition
The "Erfolgsfaktor Familie 2016" competition recognizes Germany’s most family-friendly employers. Awards are presented to overall winners in three company size categories: small employers (up to 100 employees), medium-sized employers (up to 1,000 employees), and large employers (more than 1,000 employees).
In addition, three special awards are presented in the following categories:
Family-Friendly HR Policies for Fathers
Cooperation Between Companies and Local Partners
Innovation: Work–Life Balance in the Digital Workplace
For more information, please visit:
www.unternehmenswettbewerb-erfolgsfaktor-familie.de
www.erfolgsfaktor-familie.de
