Siemens to double the number of places at its childcare facilities by 2011

Siemens already provides 400 places for employee children at its childcare centers. In light of the current shortage of experts and the ongoing shift in demographics, Siemens intends to retain employees through family-oriented human resources policies in order to maintain its competitiveness. To enable employees to better balance jobs, families and careers, the company is creating a working environment featuring flexible hours and flexible workplaces. Even managerial employees can now work from home and part-time. Up-to-date flextime models and job sharing opportunities are also provided. In addition, Siemens helps employees care for older children and ill or elderly family members by means of flexible working time models.

In Duisburg, Germany, Siemens is opening its fifteenth childcare facility on May 28. The Siemens Ki.Wis daycare center facility is based on an educational approach designed to introduce children to the natural sciences and stimulate their interest in technological topics. The facility has for example been built with transparent pipes, so the children can see how the water supply functions. Four more kindergartens are currently under construction in the German cities of Duisburg, Erlangen, Karlsruhe and Munich. Additional childcare facilities at other Siemens locations are planned.