Umicore's on-site daycare center celebrates its 10th anniversary
Last Friday, the recycling and materials technology group Umicore celebrated the 10th anniversary of its in-house daycare center, “umikids world,” together with company representatives, employees, and their children. Since the daycare center opened in 2009, a total of 42 children of Umicore employees have been cared for at the facility, which is located just a few meters from the Wolfgang Industrial Park. Thanks to the support of pme Familienservice gGmbH, the company, together with Evonik, which is based at the same location, offers space for 12 children aged nine weeks to three years. The “umikids world” is attractive not only because of its excellent care and proximity to the workplace, but also because of its extended hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“As an employer, it is important to us to fulfill our social responsibility,” said Dr. Bernhard Fuchs, CEO of Umicore AG & Co. KG. "The work-life balance is a central aspect, both for us as a company and for our current and potential employees. To enable parents to continue working even with young children, they need qualified care for their little ones. Today, the availability of a daycare center is an important deciding factor for potential employees when choosing a company. Especially for well-educated applicants, the ability to balance work and family life plays a decisive role."
The childcare spots are in high demand and are allocated by a daycare commission based on factors such as urgency. Places can also be occupied on a daily basis, so that, for example, two children can share a care spot.
Kerstin Oberhaus, site manager of the Wolfgang Industrial Park, at the anniversary celebration: "I am delighted that Umicore and Evonik have jointly undertaken this—as I look around here—colorful and important project over the past few years. Work-life balance is an essential prerequisite for both parents to be able to work. Family-friendliness also increases the company’s appeal as an employer.”
Work-life balance has been important to Umicore for many years: The company has been “berufundfamilie” certified since 2007 and offers its employees various opportunities to balance different life phases with their professional lives. One idea that emerged as part of the certification process is the company’s own daycare center. The costs for the childcare spots are shared by both the employees and the company, with the latter covering two-thirds of the expenses. “We’ve noticed that having childcare nearby eases the daily burden on working parents and increases satisfaction for everyone involved,” says Fuchs. And this satisfaction is also evident in the fact that parents who have already used the childcare at “umikids world” immediately apply for a new spot when they have another child.