Compatibility

The corona pandemic goes hand in hand with challenges for society as a whole and fundamentally changes work, studies, teaching and research. Its consequences do not affect all members and affiliates of the university in the same way: Depending on their life situation and circumstances, political and organisational measures have different effects. Difficult everyday life, psychosocial insecurity, social exclusion and existential threats due to financial hardship as well as experiences of discrimination or violence lead to new or increase existing multiple burdens.
"Focus on equal opportunities and protection from discrimination - also and especially during the Corona pandemic“ draws attention to such - new and old - disadvantages and discrimination and raises awareness of how important equal opportunities and protection against discrimination are right now.
Particular challenges are faced by people who – due to closed schools and day-care centres - provide care at home, are responsible for home schooling, care for relatives or persons belonging to so-called risk groups and at the same time work in the home office or write qualification papers: "Corona: Information on compatibility" .

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The University of Göttingen supports the compatibility of academic studies/research/work life, family and private life and aims to organise studies, research and work in a way that is compatible with family and private life. The University’s compatibility policies include different situations in life: childcare, caring for close relatives, time and geographical restrictions due to different household or family situations, private commitments such as volunteering, as well as preventative health care, sports and continuing education.
A special focus is put on the compatibility of academic studies/research/work life and family. We define ‘family’ as a social relationship in which people assume responsibility for one another in the long term.

Compatibility – next to equality and diversity – is a part of the University strategy and implemented as a cross-sectional topic in University development.
In 2014, the University signed the charter “Family Life and Academia“ and committed itself to implement and develop the proposed standards of compatibility. One of the University’s declared aims is to implement a leadership culture that allows compatibility to be part of the everyday working routine. This goal is concretised in the guidelines for a compatibility-oriented management culture.

Numerous individual support measures are available for all members of the University: the Family Service as the central source of information and consultation; opportunities for childcare as well as a family-friendly infrastructure. With a human resource management approach that is based on the concept of life phases, the University provides tools for a more flexible arrangement of individual working hours. A strong emphasis is put on the development of compatibility-oriented study, research and work conditions.
The Equal Opportunities Office consults institutions as well as employees and managers to support them in their realisation and development of compatibility-oriented measures (Family Consulting).

Compatibility services and measures are continuously developed on the basis of high standard quality management. The usage of these services and measures are regularly monitored (e.g. home office, consultation) and their efficiency is evaluated (e.g. provision of childcare). Furthermore, the measures are regularly enhanced on the basis of academic studies (e.g. special analysis of the employee survey under the perspective of compatibility of work and family life/ DGB Index of good work).