FH JOANNEUM has been awarded the quality seal for family-friendliness since 2021. The university was re-awarded the seal at the end of January 2025 for the additional family-friendly measures implemented since then. The ‘hochschuleundfamilie’ audit enables FH JOANNEUM to systematically address issues of compatibility and to continuously implement a family-friendly university and human resources policy to support and relieve the burden on employees and students.
Corinna Engelhardt-Nowitzki and Martin Payer, FH JOANNEUM management: ‘The audit enables us to regularly reflect on the current status and development opportunities. A family-friendly approach increases our attractiveness for potential applicants, both in the study and professional context. Not least, as a holder of the seal of quality, FH JOANNEUM is taking responsibility for its family-friendly commitment and aims to set an example in successfully combining university and family life.’
Measures implemented and planned for staff and students
Over the past five years, FH JOANNEUM has continuously expanded its family-friendly infrastructure at all locations. The services created for staff and students include a parent-child learning room and a quiet room, mobile toy boxes, the ‘Family is Conversation’ event series, and more information on the topic of family friendliness.
The current target agreement focuses on measures such as an increased examination of models for flexible study programmes in special life situations or the expansion of information and networking opportunities for those on parental leave and for parents.
The current offers for its employees at FH JOANNEUM include not only teleworking, flexitime, (parental) part-time employment, sabbaticals and maternity leave, but also a paternity month, childcare during the holidays, paid leave for special family occasions and cooperation with childcare facilities.
The quality seal for family-friendliness was awarded on 29 January 2025 in the Vienna Aula der Wissenschaften by Section Chief Bernadett Humer on behalf of Family Minister Susanne Raab.
