Equal Opportunities & Counselling Services
From 2018 to 2021, the Academy was certified by berufundfamilie Service GmbH to place a stronger focus on the compatibility of career and family and to implement corresponding measures. Following the conclusion of this initiative, a permanent communication forum was established, which continues to address the concerns of Academy staff regarding work-life balance.
Below you will find some general information on equal opportunities policies and counselling services available to staff at the Academy. For more detailed information, please refer to the German version of the respective webpage or to the contact persons listed below.
Maternity Protection and Parental Leave
During maternity protection your health insurance provider pays the so-called maternity allowance. It can be applied for from your employer no earlier than seven weeks before the expected due date. An employer supplement may also be possible. If you wish to take parental leave within the first three years of your child’s life, please apply no later than seven weeks before your intended start date with both the Academy’s HR department and your supervisor / department head. If you wish to take parental leave between your child’s third and eighth birthday, the application deadline is 13 weeks in advance.
Contact:
Michael Hanisch, +49 551 39‑37041, michael.hanisch@adwgoe.de
Birgit Jahnel, +49 551 39‑37043, birgit.jahnel@adwgoe.de
Care Leave
If you are caring for a close relative, you may take partial leave from work for up to 24 months. Various models – such as the “10-day emergency leave with wage replacement benefit” – are available to help you balance family care responsibilities with your career. Please discuss the most suitable option for your situation with your supervisor and the Academy’s administration.
Contact:
Michael Hanisch, +49 551 39‑37041, michael.hanisch@adwgoe.de
Birgit Jahnel, +49 551 39‑37043, birgit.jahnel@adwgoe.de
Childcare
For staff members with children, the Academy provides a mobile playroom in case of a care emergency. The KidsBox offers a variety of activities (arts and crafts materials, toys, books) and everyday needs (e.g. travel cot, clip-on seat, changing mat, exercise mat). It is stored at the mail room in Geiststraße 10 and can easily be brought to any office in the building. If you want to make use of the KidsBox, please contact Jürgen Heine (+49 551 39-37048, juergen.heine@adwgoe.de) or Annelies Stolle (+49 551 39-37030, annelies.stolle@adwgoe.de).
The Academy does not offer any childcare places, but strives to provide individual support where possible. If you have any related concerns or questions, please contact the Academy’s Equal Opportunity Officer Dr Ulrike Stöwer (+49 551 39-37038, gleichst@adwgoe.de) or her deputy Theresa Kohl (+49 551 39-37011, gleichst@adwgoe.de).
Flexible working arrangements are governed by the service agreement Ortsflexibles Arbeiten dated 27 April 2022 (internal document). Please speak with your supervisor to find a suitable arrangement for your personal situation. For further questions, you may also contact the Academy’s Secretary General Dr Jonas Maatsch (+49 551 39-37032, jonas.maatsch@adwgoe.de) or the Staff Council (personalrat@adwgoe.de)
Conflict Resolution & Counselling
In cases of conflicts between colleagues or between supervisors and staff, both the Staff Council and the Secretary General are available for consultation. This applies particularly to conflicts involving employment or labour law matters. For ongoing conflicts, mediation provided by the Equal Opportunity Officer Dr Ulrike Stöwer (who is a professionally trained supervisor and coach) or by external experts may also lead to a mutually acceptable resolution. All correspondence and conversations are confidential. Meetings can take place in person, by phone, or in a secure digital setting.
Contact:
Dr Ulrike Stöwer, ulrike.stoewer@adwgoe.de
Equal Opportunities
The Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities supports equal opportunities for all genders across all academic and non-academic work processes. The Gender Equality Plan outlines planned measures to promote gender equity, work-life balance, and the support of early-career researchers. The Academy’s Equal Opportunity Officers have extensive responsibilities under the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (NGG §20) and work closely together with the main office, e.g. regarding staffing decisions, gender equality, family-friendliness, and diversity. They also support staff facing discrimination, conflicts, or work overload, and offer confidential advice on career planning, fixed-term contracts, and workplace harassment.
Contact:
gleichst@adwgoe.de
Dr Ulrike Stöwer, Equal Opportunity Officer, +49 (0)551/39-37038
Theresa Kohl, Deputy, +49 (0)551/39-37011
Health & Wellbeing
As part of its Mental Wellbeing programme, the Academy regularly offers staff members free sessions to help manage stress and support mental health, including relaxation techniques, stress coping exercises, eye yoga, and non-violent communication. Additional health courses covered by the participants themselves are also regularly offered on the Academy's premises. The Active Break (Bewegte Pause) takes place several times per year and consists of eight 30-minutes fitness sessions, including desk-friendly exercises.
Contact:
Mental Wellbeing programme: Dr Susanne Baumgarte, susanne.baumgarte@adwgoe.de
Active Break: Dr Andrea Moshövel, andrea.moshoevel@adwgoe.de