Awarded for Family Friendliness
For the seventh time, MHH has received the quality seal "audit familiengerechte hochschule" – this time also for the clinical areas. Why this extensive process is very meaningful is exemplified by five everyday examples from the university.
As of June 5, 2023
MHH has been certified since 2005 with the "audit familiengerechte hochschule" by berufundfamilie Service GmbH. The audit is part of MHH's future initiative. In light of demographic developments, the university aims to position itself as an attractive educational institution and employer for all employees and learners. With family-friendly structures and a supportive culture, it seeks to attract highly motivated students and excellent researchers from around the world. "The audit helps us structure the entire topic and continuously improve the ongoing process," emphasizes Nadine Nelle, MHH's equal opportunities officer.
The concept sounds straightforward: family-conscious working and study conditions enhance job satisfaction, motivation, and the commitment of students and employees to the university. "This benefits everyone," says Nadine Nelle, "and also impacts teaching, research, and patient care." However, it is often not as simple as it seems. "We at the Equal Opportunities Office are especially grateful to the presidency for allowing us to assess the entire MHH for the first time," Nelle explains. "This can only happen if everyone pulls together."
In recent years, many measures have been initiated and implemented to expand family-friendly working and study conditions. "With the fifth re-audit, which took place in September 2020, MHH had already achieved a lot," recalls the equal opportunities officer. A process was initiated to define goals and assign concrete measures and responsibilities to enable long-term compatibility of study or work and family for both women and men.
One of the key successes is the emergency childcare service. "This has developed excellently over the years and is now continuously utilized," emphasizes Nadine Nelle. With the recent seventh re-audit, such positive structures are to be further expanded – including in the clinical sector. This is an elaborate process that the team at the Equal Opportunities Office has managed exceptionally well.
Text: Stefan Zorn
