Work and Family

The Academy’s KidsBox helps parents bring their child to work in care emergencies.

On this page, you can find information about support options and contacts relating to maternity protection and parental leave, childcare, and care leave.

From 2018 to 2021, the Academy was certified by berufundfamilie Service GmbH to focus more closely on criteria for balancing work and family life and to implement appropriate measures. Following the conclusion of this initiative, a permanent communications forum was established that also addresses concerns of Academy staff on the topic of work-life balance. Further information on the berufundfamilie audit (2018–2021) can be found here (internal only).

 

Maternity Protection and Parental Leave

During maternity protection your health insurance provider pays the so-called maternity allowance. It can be applied for through your employer no earlier than seven weeks before the expected delivery date. An employer supplement may also be available.

If you wish to take parental leave within the first three years of your child’s life, please apply with both the Academy’s human rights department and your supervisor at least seven weeks before your intended start date. If you wish to take parental leave between your child’s third and eighth birthday, the application deadline is 13 weeks in advance.

Further information (in German):

 

Childcare

KidsBox:
The Academy provides parents with a mobile children's room to make it easier for them to bring their children with them in case of an emergency. The KidsBox offers a wide range of activities such as arts and crafts materials, toys, and books, and also helps with everyday needs (including a travel cot, clip-on seat, changing mat, and exercise mat). The KidsBox is stored in the mailroom on Geiststraße 10 (3rd floor, room 3.101) and can be easily rolled into any office in the building. If you want to make use of the KidsBox, please contact Jürgen Heine 0551/39-37048 or Annelies Stolle 0551 39-37030). Please observe the hygiene rules that you can find in the KidsBox.

Childcare options:
The Academy does not offer any childcare itself, but will endeavour to provide support in individual cases within the scope of its possibilities. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Academy's Equal Opportunities Officer, Dr Ulrike Stöwer (0551/39-37038 gleichst@adwgoe.de) or her deputy, Theresa Kohl (Tel. 0551/39-37011, gleichst@adwgoe.de).

Flexible working arrangements:
The service agreement Ortsflexibles Arbeiten from 27 April 2022 (internal link) applies to location-flexible working arrangements. Please speak to your supervisor to find a suitable arrangement for your personal situation. If you have any further questions, please contact the Academy's Secretary General, Dr Jonas Maatsch (0551/39-37032 jonas.maatsch@adwgoe.de) or the Staff Council (personalrat@adwgoe.de).

 

Care Leave

If you are caring for a close relative, you can take up to 24 months of partial leave from work. Various models – e.g., “10 days of leave in acute cases with wage replacement” – allow you to combine family care leave with your career. Please talk to your supervisor and the Academy’s administration about adequate solutions.

Further information (in German):

 

Contacts

Human Resources:
If you have any questions about maternity protection, parental leave, leave of absence for caregiving, or other topics, please contact our Human Resources department: Head of Administration and Controlling, Michael Hanisch (0551 39-37041, michael.hanisch@adwgoe.de), or Birgit Jahnel (0552 39-37043, birgit.jahnel@adwgoe.de).

Staff Council:
The Staff Council offers advice on labour law issues, but does not provide legally binding information. Consultation hours are held on Wednesdays between 10 and 11 a.m. in the staff council room 2.101 on Geiststraße. For external employees who are not based in Göttingen, the Staff Council can also be reached by phone at 0551 39-21582 during these hours. In general, all employees may contact the Staff Council or an individual Staff Council member at any time. A short email is sufficient to arrange an appointment (by telephone or in person).

Equal Opportunities Officer:
If you have any questions about balancing work and family life, or if you are experiencing any difficulties in this regard, please contact the Academy's Equal Opportunities Officer, Dr Ulrike Stöwer (05511 39-37038, gleichst@adwgoe.de) or her deputy, Theresa Kohl (0551 39-37011).