Balancing work and family

The parent-child office offers great flexibility

Felix Tischler, Project Manager in bridge construction at Inros Lackner in Rostock

In what situations do you use the parent-child office, and how does it help you better balance family and work?
I currently use the office once a week. My wife and I both want to work full-time and still allow our three children to participate in leisure activities. We can only make this work with flexible working hours and facilities like Inros Lackner’s parent-child office. Otherwise, our family’s many different events and appointments would be difficult to coordinate. I can usually work undisturbed here without having to leave the office to look after one of the children – while the others participate in their hobbies, for example.

How do your children experience their time in the office? Do they feel comfortable there?
The room isn't a playtime paradise per se, but my son is usually satisfied to have a quiet place to paint or build Lego while listening to audiobooks. He usually even looks forward to his time in the office – partly because he can sometimes see what his dad is working on. My daughters have also been here a few times and found it interesting.

How does your team react when you work in the parent-child office – do you feel support and understanding?
Many of our colleagues are in a similar situation – some also have several children and are familiar with the balancing act between work and family. So I find there is a lot of understanding. Since the parent-child office is on the same floor as my regular workplace, it’s just as easy to come and talk to me. But anyway, our digital way of working makes it possible to work on projects from anywhere. The alternative – not working at all – would certainly not be a better solution for the team.