Research question/goal:

The goal of this practically oriented project was to take stock of the opportunities to arrange family and employment in Germany’s region of Rhine-Neckar (Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar). Therefore, a survey among employers (human resources managers of companies with at least ten employees) has been conducted which had been developed in cooperation with the Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar and with the city of Heidelberg. The questionnaire asked about provisions in the areas work schedule, promotion of parenthood and childcare. Further, human resources managers have been asked about their attitudes and opinions concerning the compatibility of family and work, and they should provide structural information on their company.
In a three-wave postal survey 477 companies could be interviewed. The most important results are: Childcare is the most problematic area, but there are also deficits in the promotion of parenthood. Much better conditions exist pertaining to work schedules in the region. Arrangements in all areas contribute to the compatibility of family and work. The return after a family break of women in specific does significantly depend on arrangements which promote parenthood, while a fast return is dependent on the existence of child care provisions. The rejection of a traditional image of the family (and a rather family-oriented role of women therein) by staff managers is a supportive factor for the comparability of family and work throughout.
Finally, significant information deficits could be detected on possible measurements to combine family and employment, especially in the region’s medium-sized business. Since the degree of information and the existence of family-friendly arrangements in companies are correlated, more information and a better information policy by local, state and non-state institutions provide opportunities to enhance the degree of compatibility of family and work in the Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar. A follow-up study is under consideration to being conducted in 2009.