Merck attaches great importance to being a family-friendly company and helping employees reconcile the demands of work and leisure. In Germany and many other countries, for example, we offer employees the possibility to work part-time and to telecommute. In addition, we offer special programs for mothers and fathers (parental leave). However, flexible working hours greatly depend on an employee’s individual position, field and degree of responsibility. The options are handled individually at the sites in line with local needs. At our German sites in Darmstadt, Gernsheim and Grafing, 426 employees were on parental leave on December 31, 2010. In 2008, the charitable Hertie Foundation confirmed that Merck in Darmstadt and Gernsheim is a family-friendly company. As a result, we are permitted to use the quality seal of the “Family and Career” audit for a further three years.
In 2011, the Euroforum will deal with the topic of work-life balance and develop strategies for sustainable forms of work, working hours and working conditions.
