Balancing career and family

Judith, how did you start your career at Rödl?

I joined Rödl in 2013 in the training organisation of our internal academy, the campus, and since then I have had many opportunities to develop and try out new things. Rödl later supported me in my training as a systemic coach and I was able to help shape our trust centre, a counselling service for colleagues in challenging situations. As an internal trainer for management development and as a business partner in auditing, I gained deep insights into the company. I am still benefiting from this in my new role in employer branding, which is a completely new area of responsibility for me.

How do you reconcile your role at Rödl and your family?

For me personally, the most important things are mutual trust between employer and employee and good planning. Reconciling career and family can be a challenging task and requires permanent good organisation. My husband and I both work full time, 35 and 37 hours per week respectively. We both have days a week when we work full time, but also days when we are each responsible for the children’s piano lessons, swimming, playground and dentist appointments. Since there are always shifts in both our private and professional schedules, our shared digital calendar is the most important tool here to avoid losing track of everything. But when one of the stones in the carefully constructed organisational house starts to slip because one of the children is sick, no tool can help – it simply becomes exhausting.

What supportive role does Rödl play for you in balancing career and family?

I am very grateful that Rödl gives me a lot of flexibility and that there is mutual trust that I will do my job well and with full commitment. In return, I can also trust my employer that our give and take is in a good balance. In addition to the flexibility that the organisation of everyday life gives me, I also feel a lot of gratitude for the opportunities that Rödl and especially Anke, my manager, offer me to contribute and grow in my different roles.
For example, after the birth of our son, Rödl made it possible for me to return to my role as a confidential counsellor at Rödl directly after maternity leave with very few hours a week and completely according to my personal availability, and thus to accompany colleagues in difficult situations for them. Since the birth of my children, I have been able to change my weekly working hours often and without complications, from 30 to 32, to 34 and currently 37 hours per week. I have always felt very accommodated.

Can you give some advice to other colleagues, what is your personal tip?

If I had to give a tip, I would probably recommend not to worry too much about possible problems and difficulties that might arise at some point in your career. Sometimes you just have to dare to pursue your personal goals and take on new tasks.

Thank you for the interview!