Foto: Arbeit und Leben Sachsen-Anhalt gGmbH
On August 15, 2024, the Saxony-Anhalt Human Resources and Works Council Conference took place at the Kulturhaus Leuna under the theme “Co-determination in the Age of Digitalization.” The conference brought together numerous representatives from businesses, labor unions, and the political sphere to discuss current topics such as digitalization, co-determination, and forward-looking human resources strategies. A special focus was placed on creating family-friendly working conditions, which was the subject of a workshop led by Kerstin Mogdans, coordinator of the Welcome Center Saxony-Anhalt and a staff member of the state initiative “Fachkraft im Fokus.”
Focus on Family-Friendly Work Arrangements
The workshop “Family-Friendly Work Arrangements” addressed one of the most pressing questions in the modern workplace: How can the balance between family and career be improved? It became clear that family-friendly measures must take into account not only the needs of employees but also corporate culture and the strategic direction of the companies.
tailored to the different life stages of employees. Topics included flexible work hours, childcare, support for caregiving responsibilities, volunteer work, personal professional development, and consideration of individual challenges. She also emphasized that generations, values, and lifestyles have a decisive influence on the workplace and can pose a particular challenge for managers—one that can only be overcome through open-minded and trusting communication. A central aspect of the workshop was the joint discussion on how family-friendly measures can be adapted to the respective corporate culture. Difficult questions such as “Who actually counts as family, and what does work-life balance really mean?” were also openly discussed. “Family-friendliness in a company also means, among other things, work organization that is tailored to family needs and life stages,” Mogdans emphasized.
Continuing Education Agencies as Partners for Works Councils
The conference also addressed the services offered by continuing education agencies in Saxony-Anhalt, which provide valuable support to works councils in developing continuing education concepts. Lutz Rätz, project manager of the state initiative “Fachkraft im Fokus,” presented the opportunities for promoting professional continuing education in his presentation. The focus was particularly on how continuing education measures can be used to secure skilled workers and prepare companies for the challenges of digitalization.
Do you have questions about family-friendly work arrangements?
Our regional advisors from the state initiative “Fachkraft im Fokus” are happy to assist you. If you’d like to learn more about developing and implementing family-friendly measures in your company, please contact us!
Kerstin Mogdans
Phone: +49 391 400669 16
Mobile: +49 152 53791663
