Where work becomes a retreat

04.03.2025
Where work becomes a retreat

Getzner Textil was awarded the 2024 National Prize for Family Friendliness, officially making it one of Austria's top employers for parents. Stefanie König knows firsthand what this means in practice: As a mother of two, she coordinates childcare and parental leave management at Getzner Textil.

The days are long, and the nights are often short – anyone with young children knows this. 'It's the balance between family and work that makes me happy. This way, I can contribute my skills at work and be fully present as a mom at home,' says Stefanie. With flexible working time models and active parental leave management, returning to work at Getzner Textil is particularly easy. 'We regularly invite parents on leave to discussions and our parental leave café. With the "Discovery Space," we've created another offering for families. Here, children can move freely in a specially prepared play area, while parents have the opportunity to gain a new perspective on their children,' Stefanie explains.

Company childcare at Getzner Textil.

Commitment with Vision

Becoming Austria’s most family-friendly company doesn’t happen overnight, does it? Perrine Getzner, Head of Personnel Development, is the initiator and driving force behind numerous projects in this area. She emphasizes: 'Family friendliness is a matter close to our hearts. With our initiatives, we support families in balancing work and family life and actively promote paternity leave, for example. Corporate childcare also plays an important role – as high-quality childcare places are scarce,' Perrine explains. Currently, around 40 children aged 1 to 4 years are cared for in 'Getzner’s Buntstiftle' and 'Getzner’s Buntspechtle.' Both facilities were awarded the MINT quality seal last year.

“It's the balance between family and work that makes me happy.” Stefanie König

Family and Career in Harmony

Stefanie König coordinates corporate childcare in collaboration with the city of Bludenz. 'Assigning the registered children takes several weeks,' Stefanie recalls. 'It’s a long process to accommodate all children according to the parents’ wishes and the facility’s capacities.' A worthwhile effort—because happy children mean happy parents, and vice versa. This is what true family friendliness is all about: creating an environment where parents don’t have to choose between work and family but can successfully combine both.