The Julius Kühn Institute presents itself as a family-friendly employer that is mindful of different life stages. Since 2021, it has been successfully certified with the berufundfamilie audit. For its strategic approach to family- and life-stage-conscious HR policies and family-friendly working conditions, the JKI received the berufundfamilie audit certificate for the second time on 15 March 2025.
This three-year certificate, recognised as a quality seal for systematic corporate work-life balance policies, is awarded by the board of trustees of berufundfamilie Service GmbH. Following its initial certification in 2021, the JKI successfully underwent the re-audit process, during which the status quo of existing family-friendly measures was reviewed, and the institutionalisation of work-life balance policies and culture was further deepened. The focus was particularly on leadership and communication.
As part of the re-audit, not only were strategic goals set, but also concrete measures, which have been formalised in an agreement. These measures are now to be implemented as required during the certification period. berufundfamilie Service GmbH carries out an annual review of their practical implementation.
As a family-conscious employer, the JKI aims to support its employees in balancing work and family life while maintaining their health. Moreover, the JKI is committed to acting transparently and fostering open communication. Existing measures to promote work-life balance for employees and students include leadership development on compatibility issues, employee surveys, a self-declaration by managers on family- and life-stage-conscious leadership, and a comprehensive information section on the intranet. Current initiatives include integrating work-life balance as a cross-cutting topic in HR development, conducting another employee survey, and establishing a shared understanding of compatibility across all leadership levels.
Background
berufundfamilie Service GmbH originated from an initiative launched in 1998 by the non-profit Hertie Foundation. As a service provider and think tank, it supports companies, institutions, and universities in shaping an attractive and modern working and study environment—one that balances the individual needs of employees, team dynamics, and organisational requirements. Its core offering is the berufundfamilie audit, which organisations use to systematically and sustainably develop their family- and life-stage-conscious HR policies.