Work and family
The Rheinmetall Group regards the wish of many employees for better compatibility of work and family as an obligation in HR policy, through which the change that is taking place in society, with a stronger focus on families, is also to be promoted within the company.
Rheinmetall thus supports both male and female employees returning to work after parental leave to find childcare solutions, for example through increased cooperation with providers of crèches and day care centers, or through flexible organization of working hours with the option of part-time work.
The new legal option to obtain parental benefit for a longer period – in practice, often used as “paternal leave” – is already a reality in many divisions of companies in the Rheinmetall Group.
On September 15, 2011, the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland awarded the Prix BalanceZH for the first time. Companies that offer their employees particularly family-friendly working conditions and thus improve the compatibility of profession and family/private life were honored. The competition was held by the canton of Zurich’s regional development organization and the expert organization for the Equality of Men and Women in close collaboration with the expert organization for Family and Occupation of Men and Women and supported by the Kaufmännische Verband Zürich (Zurich Association of Commercial Employees) and the Great Place to Work Institute.
The competition was open to companies that offer their employees particularly family-friendly work conditions in order to make it easier for them to manage their working and private lives – regardless of whether they need time for looking after children, caring for relatives or for pursuing a hobby.
The winning companies offered flexible working models and, in particular, supportive regulations for fathers and mothers, e.g. parental leave, additional child benefits or a company day care. In addition to the conditions of employment, the specialist jury also evaluated the company’s awareness of the topic as well as the sustainability of the measures taken.
Rheinmetall Air Defence AG, Zurich, was the winner in the “Industry and Commerce” category.
