Family-friendliness in the company – does it pay off?

Published: August 1, 2024
Last updated: 21. October 2026

In a constantly changing working world, the topic of family-friendliness is becoming increasingly important. Remaining inactive as a company can get expensive. 801.262 € per year – that's the sum a company with 1,000 employees loses because staff resign during parental leave. The reasons are obvious: companies invest too little in family-friendly measures to make it possible for parents to reconcile family and work.

Employers who implement family-friendly measures not only put their employees' wellbeing first, but also achieve numerous economic advantages. But which family-friendly measures lead to a better reconciliation of family and work and prevent employees from resigning during parental leave? And what positive effects can be achieved through family-friendliness in the company?

Family-friendly measures in the company

Family-friendly measures are varied and must be adapted to employees' needs and the company's circumstances. Here are some proven methods companies can implement to improve their family-friendliness:

Flexible working hours

Enable employees to adapt their working hours to family needs. This includes models like flexitime, part-time or job sharing.

Flexible working hours

Reduces the daily care burden for parents. Workplace childcare, financial subsidies and emergency care relieve families and lead to a better reconciliation of family and work.

Support for parental leave and return

Regular contact during parental leave prevents the connection from breaking off, whereas return programmes support parents in coming back to the job.

Home office or remote work

Helps make work more flexible and reduces commuting.

Positive effects through family-friendliness in the company

Implementing family-friendly measures in the company fosters not only employees' wellbeing but also the company's economic success.

Better work-life balance

Employees experience a harmonious balance between professional and private life. Professional and private obligations as well as recovery phases are in balance.

Increased satisfaction

Employees who can reconcile family obligations with their work are more satisfied.

Lower absenteeism

Employees who can meet their family obligations with the company's support are absent less often due to family emergencies.

Higher employee retention

Employees stay longer in the company because they value the reconciliation of family and work. High costs for recruiting and onboarding new employees are reduced.

Increased productivity

Satisfied and balanced employees are more productive and creative, which has a positive effect on the company's success.

Conclusion

Family-friendliness in the company pays off in many respects. It leads to a better work-life balance for employees, increases satisfaction and has a positive effect on employee retention in the company and its business success. Companies that invest in family-friendly measures create a win-win situation: they improve their employees' wellbeing while securing their own economic success. In an increasingly competitive working world, family-friendliness is therefore not only a social responsibility but also a strategic success factor.

Feel free to share this post with others: