Mühlheim's Municipality earns recognition for family-focused human resources strategy
The city of Mühlheim has been awarded the prestigious "Family-Friendly Employer of Hesse" seal in June 2025, recognising its commitment to creating a supportive work environment that balances professional responsibilities with family needs.
Mayor Dr. Alexander Krey views this seal as a commitment for the city, not just an award. He emphasises that families are considered the cells of society in Mühlheim, and the city is dedicated to valuing them as the building blocks of society.
The internal women's and equal opportunities officer for the city, Birgit Wengenroth, plays a crucial role in this commitment. She believes that the seal demonstrates that employee well-being is prioritised in Mühlheim.
To receive the award, a municipal team must define concrete goals and measures within two years. Mühlheim's specific measures typically focus on initiatives such as flexible working hours, parental leave support, childcare assistance, work-life balance programs, career development for parents, an inclusive corporate culture, and employee involvement.
The city's agreed activities cover the areas of "Leadership & Culture", "Working Hours & Workplace", "Information", and "Offers for Employees". Mühlheim already had various internal and external information and feedback offers, mobile work, and flexible hours in place. The city also offers the Egym Wellpass, which provides health and fitness benefits.
The activities include internal and external communication measures on corporate culture, mobile work, flexible working hours, and offers for health promotion and further training.
If the agreement is fulfilled, a four-year re-certification period will follow. The Interior Ministry will conduct an inspection in the summer of 2027 to determine if the agreement is fulfilled.
The "Family-Friendly Employer" seal is presented annually by the state of Hesse since 2014, with the aim of promoting a family-friendly work culture in the public sector. The city of Mühlheim's commitment to this seal aligns with their principle of prioritising the well-being of its employees and promoting work-life balance and family-friendliness.
Both management and employees in Mühlheim share this commitment, and Ms. Wengenroth believes that the seal shows that work-life balance and family-friendliness are not mere buzzwords in the city. Instead, they are a reality that the city is actively working to uphold.
Other areas beyond work-life balance and family-friendly policies are also prioritized in Mühlheim, as evidenced by their emphasis on home-and-garden initiatives and promoting an overall family-centric lifestyle. The city's dedication extends to fostering strong relationships and understanding the role of family-dynamics in shaping society, aiming to create a holistic and supportive environment for families.
