Familiendialog.NRW Reconciling work and family Care

Family-conscious HR policy: what does it take?

Text last updated: 2026-04-14

Employers and employers discussed with the state government

How can companies successfully balance work, family and care? And what framework conditions do employers want for this?

On February 25, 2026, Family Minister Verena Schäffer invited representatives from companies and interested parties who deal with reconciliation issues to Düsseldorf. The exchange focused on the opportunities, challenges and success factors of a family and care-conscious HR policy. The aim was to bring together different perspectives and provide impetus for a sustainable working environment.

The Familiendialog.NRW is part of a dialogue series in which the perspectives of families are examined. All results will be incorporated into the new Family Report 2026 of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

What promotes, what hinders and what is needed for a family-conscious HR policy?

Familienministerin Verena Schäffer
Family Minister Verena Schäffer, Photo: MKJFGFI / B. Thissen

Exchange, new food for thought and networking - the participants of Familiendialog.NRW discussed questions with Family Minister Verena Schäffer such as:

  • What expectations do working parents and carers have of employers' family awareness?
  • What importance do employers attach to the compatibility of family and work or care?
  • What are the success factors and obstacles to implementing a family-conscious HR policy?
  • In which areas do families and employers see a need for support from the NRW state government?

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Documentation of the results Download

The documentation Download

You can download the documentation on the Familiendialog.NRW compatibility of work and family care here:

Dokumentation Familiendialog Vereinbarkeit Beruf Familie Pflege
 pdf, 722.79 KB