Certified: Jacobs University is »Family Friendly«

On June 30, 2008, Jacobs University received certification by the initiative Beruf & Familie gGmbH (Career & Family) on behalf of the Hertie Foundation as being a »Family Friendly University«. The certificate rewards companies which successfully manage to create a family-friendly work and study environment. It is awarded as a result of a successful completion of a Work and Family Audit process. Out of 231 companies awarded, only 12 German universities received the revalidation of the certificate which is valid until April 28, 2011.

[ Jun 30, 2008]  The Work and Family Audit was developed by the Hertie Foundation to acknowledge innovative and promising approaches to the family-related issues within work contexts. The specific aim of the audit is to establish a sustainable policy to balance between the corporate interests of a university and the family duties of its employees and students. Such a policy should be embedded into the long-term functioning of the university. In June 2005, Jacobs University received the initial Family-Friendly University Certificate for three years which was followed by a Work and Family Audit process.

The main aims of the Work and Family Audit at Jacobs University:

• To increase the attractiveness for excellent academics and students from different cultures
• To maintain high motivation and work performance of the whole community through an appropriate work-life balance
• To communicate and improve already existing family-friendly measures related to work and study
• To increase the percentage of women employees, especially among the faculty

Examples of family-friendly measures at Jacobs University

• Work place and time flexibility (laptops and external intranet access)
• Finding democratic solutions in committees rather than following rigid policies
• Facilitation of the dual career of working couples
• Workplace health promotion and sport facilities for all generations present on campus
• Bilingual kindergarten (Kids at Jacobs e.V.) for children 6 months- 6 years old
• Various clubs, cinema, and Guest House
• The host-family program
• Active participation in the local association of audited companies (Bremer Verbundprojekt Beruf&Familie, Bremen Association of Work&Family)
• The establishment of the Equal Opportunity, Dual Career and Family Friendliness University Committee (EQ Committee) responsible for the continuous improvement of the family-friendly measures on campus and coordination of the Work and Family Audit.