“In our company, we have long been committed to the compatibility of work and family and have had good experiences with this on all sides. That’s why the adjustments necessary during the Corona pandemic didn’t affect us so drastically,” says Susanne Schulte, Human Resources Manager at Werner Langer GmbH &Co KG. The workforce can rely on family-friendliness being practiced in the company, especially in times of crisis.

Personal contact and individual solutions

The medium-sized company from Meschede-Berge in the Sauerland develops and produces plastic parts. The 130 employees work in three shifts - and this poses particular challenges when organizing work. As human resources manager, Susanne Schulte is close to the concerns and needs of her colleagues who had to overcome additional hurdles due to the restrictions on daycare and school operations during the Corona crisis. “Flexibility is particularly important when we organize our shifts under Corona conditions,” she says. Working time accounts and flexible working hours, which are continually adjusted individually, cushion the greatest burdens. “We offer parents staggered working hours so that mother and father can take turns looking after the children – even if one parent is employed at another company.” In some cases, this can mean that the working day does not end until 4 p.m begins. Most employees have concrete ideas about what could help them. “It’s important to keep talking,” emphasizes Susanne Schulte. “Only then can we find individual solutions and coordinate them internally. Because one thing is clear: the team and management have to go along with it.” And she makes it important to note that not all wishes can always be fulfilled: “Sometimes we have to find solutions spontaneously, and then compromises are necessary.”

Support is also very practical

But that's not all. The HR manager also provides practical support to employees if they can no longer find their way in the circumstances caused by the pandemic. The company is still manageable in size, so that personal contact is possible. “A colleague’s four daughters go to four different schools, between which there are huge differences in the organization of lessons,” says Susanne Schulte. “We need help with clarity.” She also helps parents with the bureaucratic formalities surrounding the various Corona aid and regulations, advises, reassures and fills out forms. The trainees also need special attention: the company provides them with a room for online lessons so that they can learn in peace. If necessary, Susanne Schulte organizes tutoring, because not everyone copes equally well with digital lessons.

Stay flexible in the future too

Despite the increased burden, Susanne Schulte also sees opportunities in the challenges posed by the pandemic: “Some of what we are implementing now will remain – even in the post-Corona period,” she is certain. “The increased flexibility in almost all areas also has a positive effect on the compatibility of family and work. This is good for everyone: the company, which remains operational even in a crisis, and the employees, who can rely on family-friendly solutions.”

Source: https://chancen-durch-vereinbarkeit.nrw/so-unkompliziert-wie-eben-moeglich-schichtbetrieb-corona-und-vereinbarkeit-bei-der-werner-langer