Everyone must pull in the same direction

Family-friendly staff policy is the focus of the panel discussion at the premises of the metal processing company Schraml. District Administrator Wolfgang Lippert initiated the meeting.

Waldershof – The times when the district of Tirschenreuth placed in the lower ranks in terms of population and jobs, are over. District Administrator Wolfgang Lippert said this in the introduction to a panel discussion about family-friendly staff policy, which he organised as the patron of the „Federation for family“. The venue was at the premises of the metal processing company Schraml in Waldershof.

Indeed the district of Tirschenreuth is still losing inhabitants, but no longer as drastically as in the past, not by a long way, the District Administrator clarified. In addition, the numbers for enrolment stabilised and the unemployment quota has reached an all time low at 3.8%. “We need skilled employees and children. We must exploit our potential, and people cannot plan a future without children“, emphasised the District Administrator.

Lippert appealed to the entrepreneurs: “Stay modern, future-oriented and respect families.” There has also been a change in thinking amongst young people. Studies show that years ago the career ranked high above the family. “Today, for young people, the topics of family and children are way above career again“, enthuses Lippert. “That is why I chose Schraml as a venue, because they have always worked humanely here“, adds the District Administrator.

Under the heading “Family-friendly staff policy in small and medium-sized companies”, the Managing Director Alexander Schraml, trade union representative Christian Dietl, the deputy master craftsman of the district guild Wolfgang Schmid, CIC branch manager Florian Rieder, the chairman of business women in trades, Gerlinde Reindl, and business developer Manfred Dietrich took part in the panel discussion to answer questions. The host was Thomas Bärthlein. 32 invited guests from companies, associations, authorities and offices followed the discussion.

Initially however, Alexander Schraml introduced his family company, which was founded as a one-man operation in 1990 by the Senior Manager Reinhold Schraml. The company currently employs 45 employees and serves customers all over Europe, in the USA, in Russia and also in Australia. The top customers include the car manufacturers in Germany.

As Alexander Schraml said, the family-run company not only offers secure jobs, it has been continually training skilled employees for many years, who are all taken on. Also its family support services, such as taking on the nursery costs for children of Schraml employees, are a given. Furthermore, the company generously supports institutions such as schools and nurseries with projects. Schraml places a great deal of importance on the observation that there are many very good companies in the region, which also function very well in the network.

Host Bärtling started the discussion by asking the participants for their opinions on the topic of family-friendly companies. “Family is the pillar of success”, said Alexander Schraml. Trade union representative would like to do away with antiquated customs. Master craftsman of the district guild Wolfgang Schmid said that family-friendliness is only possible, if everyone involved is pulling in the same direction. Business developer Manfred Dietrich sees the family company as a piece of home which should be supported.

CIC representative Florian Rieder stated that the competition for skilled employees is becoming stronger, and a family-friendly staff policy has already arrived in many companies. For Alexander Schraml it is clear; if the family of the employee is intact, the individual person is in better form.

For the participants in the discussion, it was clear that the family-friendly aspects such as home office, periods of parental leave or care of relatives and career opportunities for women working part-time are only partially possible. Thereby, it is important that both parties – employer and employee – interact respectfully and appreciatively, and look for solutions that are acceptable to both parties, in personal meetings.

As examples for support from outside, mayor Friederike Sonnemann named 24-hour care in day care centres or the voluntary Waldershof Granny exchange. However, the government, who preaches this topic but does not provide any funding, also has to step in.