In October 2023, the Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi) received the Total E-Quality cetificate for its personnel and organizational policy, which is consistently oriented toward equal opportunities. The award is valid for three years and recognizes institutions and companies that promote an equal opportunity and diversity-oriented organizational culture. With the official award ceremony on October 19, LIfBi was included in the circle of 176 institutions that implement measures for the long-term opportunity-oriented development of employees and the company.
In its justification, the jury referred in particular to the institute's statutes and equal opportunities concept. Since its foundation in 2014, the LIfBi's statutes have stipulated "the promotion of gender equality and diversity" as a central task. The equality concept adopted in 2021 concretizes this task by means of various principles and strategies. In its statement, the jury highlighted in particular the gender balance in management positions and the qualification opportunities for women to achieve leading positions. The internal promotion of the compatibility of care work and career, the implementation of a prejudice-free, diverse work culture as well as the research projects in the field of equal opportunities and diversity also enabled LIfBi to receive the award.
LIfBi Director Cordula Artelt: "Receiving the award reinforces our view that equality and diversity-friendly structures are of great importance at the institute, but that these must also be translated into lived practice and accompanied."
Award as an incentive
As the driving force behind the award, the jury pays special tribute to LIfBi's Equal Opportunities Officer, Dr. Franziska Fellenberg. Through her work, as well as that of her representative and all of her predecessors, LIfBi continues to move toward a more equitable and diverse work culture, the statement said.
"We are honored that our strategy and actions were valued by the jury and the association. However, we will not rest on this award, but will continue to remain true to our principles and constantly develop further," says Franziska Fellenberg.
At the official award ceremony, 56 other companies and institutions were honored in addition to LIfBi. Representatives of the award-winning institutions had the opportunity to participate in various presentations and to deepen the discussion about hurdles and opportunities for an equal opportunity working environment.
About equality at LIfBi
The Leibniz Association defines equal opportunities and equality as an overriding goal. As an institute of the Leibniz Association, LIfBi is subject to regular reporting requirements. This includes various factors, such as gender-specific personnel statistics and the determination of target quotas for female scientists at various hierarchical levels. LIfBi has set and largely realized a target quota of 50 percent women at all specified levels. LIfBi attaches particular importance to not reducing equality and equal opportunities to balanced gender ratios. A reflective and sensitive approach to the topic is considered essential at the institute. For this reason, topics such as dealing with sexualized harassment or specific management seminars are an integral part of the internal training program. Last but not least, issues relating to gender differences are also reflected in the institute's research.
About Total E-Quality
Organizations in business, science and administration, as well as associations with at least 15 employees, that have successfully integrated equal opportunities and diversity into their HR and organizational policies can receive the Total E-Quality certificate. Total E-Quality promotes the initiative of organizations to implement equal opportunities - without legal requirements and going beyond them. https://www.total-e-quality.de/de/
Pic 1-3: Sarah Rauch/Total E-Quality Deutschland
Pic 4: Julia Wirnitzer/LIfBi