Municipal Authority of Mühlheim awarded for family-friendly human resources practices
In a significant step towards promoting work-life balance and family-friendliness, the city of Mühlheim was awarded the "Family-Friendly Employer in Hesse" quality seal in June 2025. The award, presented by Interior Minister Roman Poseck, recognises Mühlheim's commitment to employee well-being and family-friendly practices.
Mühlheim, a city with a rich history, is building on offers that have been in place for decades. These include various internal and external information and feedback offers, mobile work, flexible hours, health offers, and more. One of the key initiatives is the Egym Wellpass, a health promotion offer.
For Mayor Dr. Alexander Krey, the "Family-Friendly Employer" seal is more than an award. It serves as a commitment for both management and employees in Mühlheim, reiterating the city's belief that families are the building blocks of society.
Tristan Gerfelder, head of the general services department, stated that the city's initiatives cover the areas of "Leadership & Culture", "Working Hours & Workplace", "Information", and "Offers for Employees". The agreement, drawn up together with the works council, includes specific goals and measures that must be implemented within two years, with an inspection scheduled in the summer of 2027.
The activities include internal and external communication measures on corporate culture, mobile work, flexible working hours, and offers for health promotion and further training. Mühlheim is the first municipality in the Offenbach district to receive this recognition.
The "Family-Friendly Employer" award is based on a fixed agreement on the further development of a family-friendly personnel policy. If the agreement is fulfilled, a four-year re-certification period will follow.
The city's focus on employee well-being and family-friendliness is underscored by Birgit Wengenroth, the internal women's and equal opportunities officer. She emphasised that the certification demonstrates Mühlheim's dedication to creating a supportive work environment that values work-life balance and family-friendliness.
While specific details about Mühlheim's family-friendly initiatives and future plans were not readily available, it is common for family-friendly employers in Hesse to implement initiatives such as flexible working hours and part-time options, opportunities for telework or home office, parental leave schemes beyond statutory requirements, childcare support, health and wellbeing programs, and training and development that consider family obligations.
For precise current initiatives and future plans for Mühlheim specifically, contacting the city administration or checking their official website or press releases would be necessary. Employers often aim to expand flexible work arrangements, enhance childcare facilities, promote gender equality in career advancement, and deepen cooperation with local family service providers in the future.
- Mühlheim's efforts in promoting work-life balance extend beyond the workplace, as they also focus on health-and-wellness, relationships, and lifestyle, driving initiatives in home-and-garden, such as promoting gender equality in career advancement.
- The city administration has developed a family-friendly personnel policy, which includes offering flexible working hours, part-time options, and work-from-home arrangements, all of which contribute to the overall well-being of its employees.
- As part of its family-friendly initiatives, Mühlheim also provides health-and-wellness programs aimed at improving the overall well-being of its employees, with the Egym Wellpass being a key offering in this category.
- The city's commitment to family-friendliness does not end with its employees, as they also support family dynamics through childcare initiatives and cooperation with local family service providers.
