Here’s what it’s all about:
Companies in the A³ economic region see themselves as responsible employers and make targeted investments in the health, motivation, productivity and well-being of their staff.
Balancing work and family life
In an era full of diverse challenges, achieving a work-life balance is becoming increasingly important for employees. At LeitWerk AG in Augsburg, this principle is actively put into practice. Staff and management work together to develop individual solutions tailored to each person’s circumstances. These include flexible working hours, part-time options and remote working, which make it easier to return to work after parental leave. Through the ‘Perspektive Wiedereinstieg’ labour market project, the company has already recruited numerous new staff members who were looking to restart their careers after taking time out to raise a family.
Family needs are also taken into account when planning holidays. Sabbaticals and unpaid leave are available, as are easily approved parental leave or special leave, for example following a birth or a wedding. Families are also given priority when it comes to holiday planning. Children and employees on parental leave are expressly welcome at the annual summer company party.
The sense of community within the company extends beyond the working day: many colleagues enjoy spending time together, which also leads to long-standing friendships. At the future company headquarters, ‘Weitblick 1.7’, a dedicated crèche will also be set up, further facilitating the work-life balance.
This is how companies are making the future better:
- They are holding their own in the competition for highly sought-after skilled workers.
- Thanks to its diverse range of opportunities, A³ offers skilled workers excellent prospects.
Playing with spaces
The digital agency TEAM23 places great importance on an attractive working environment. Modern workplace design, featuring open-plan areas, flexible zones and sofa corners for meetings, is used strategically to this end. When they moved into the Glaspalast in Augsburg, they deliberately left the design of the workspaces up to their staff. The idea behind this is that people who can help shape their own workspace feel more at ease and enjoy coming to work. A modern working environment not only supports staff recruitment and retention – particularly of young talent – but also boosts efficiency within the company.
At the same time, work design requires a willingness to experiment. Not all staff were convinced by flexible concepts from the outset – some prefer fixed workstations. TEAM23 responds flexibly to this and offers both options. The concept is complemented by dedicated sprint rooms for project teams that come together at short notice, as well as a freely accessible Open Device Lab, which serves as an innovative workshop space for staff, clients and interested parties. Digital solutions are tested there on various devices.
In addition, having its own co-working space encourages collaboration and fosters new synergies. The company’s collaborative corporate culture has already been recognised – including a place in the top 10 of kununu’s 2019 Best Workplace Award. This success also helps the company to attract new skilled staff.
This is what matters:
Companies in Augsburg and the surrounding region are constantly striving to develop bespoke solutions for their staff.
A whole day dedicated to health
A health-promoting working environment is a key factor in successfully attracting and retaining skilled staff. Holzwarth GmbH, based in the Augsburg district, focuses precisely on this area and actively promotes the wellbeing and productivity of its staff. The company, which manufactures windows, front doors and canopies, organised a health day at its premises in collaboration with the AOK.
On this day, all employees were given the day off and were able to find out more about health-related topics at various stations. Key areas included healthy eating, balance exercises, body fat measurements and reaction time tests. The aim was to raise awareness of health risks and highlight specific ways to prevent them.
The health day also yielded tangible results: two employees were able to lose weight through changes such as intermittent fasting and, as a result, felt significantly fitter and healthier. Prevention plays a major role, particularly in physically demanding jobs such as those at Holzwarth, where the risk of musculoskeletal disorders is heightened. The management therefore regularly reminds staff of the importance of balance exercises and health-conscious behaviour in their day-to-day work.