Fraport AG won top honors in the “major company” category of Germany’s Success Factor Family 2008 corporate competition. Ursula von der Leyen, federal minister for family, senior citizens, women and youth, presented the award to Fraport executive board chairman Dr. Wilhelm Bender last week in Berlin.  

Von der Leyen explained that Fraport received the award because of its “family-oriented personnel strategy” – which is setting standards: “Fraport repeatedly succeeds in coming up with innovative and family-friendly solutions for the many mothers and fathers employed by the company.” A large corporation with such a wide variety of offerings aimed at employees with families is exemplary.  “The purpose of the competition is to publicize success stories that can serve as a model for other companies in Germany to follow,” said the minister.

Fraport AG offers numerous family-friendly initiatives, ranging from flexible work-time models, equal opportunities, extensive training and coaching programs to comprehensive health promotion. The company’s childcare facilities and services are particularly innovative. Fluggiland, for children from one to 12 years, takes care of 15 to 30 kids from 6:00 to 22:00 every day – used especially in emergencies when regular childcare arrangements are unavailable.  In addition, the Kinderkrippe Arche nursery offers 12 places for children from eight weeks of age. Located not far from Frankfurt Airport, both facilities, are also used by children of Sanofi Aventis and Infraserv employees.

Bender stressed the importance of good working conditions and of comprehensive care services for employees’ children – prerequisites for the company’s strong performance, competitive orientation and innovative excellence. “We want to be an attractive employer and we strive continuously to improve employee satisfaction,” said Bender.  Furthermore, we have to be responsive to the “awareness of our corporate responsibility” as well as to the sustainable support of partnership and dialog with Frankfurt Airport’s  neighbors.  “As an employer and economic engine, we understand our responsibility for employees, society and the environment,” stated Bender.