Family-friendly University
Bielefeld University has received several awards for its success in equal opportunities and has also been certified as a family-friendly university since 2006.
Bielefeld University's Family Service is the point of contact and advice centre for all questions relating to the compatibility of studies/academics/appointments and family. Students, academics and staff in administration and service with family responsibilities receive comprehensive, confidential advice,
information on tailor-made, status-specific offers and family-friendly work and study organisation.
Numerous measures to increase family friendliness were developed as part of the family-friendly university audit.
- Family support measures
In consultation with the faculties, the rectorate has decided on family support measures for students, academics in training and teaching staff with a high teaching load for a period of three years (Oct 2023-Oct 2026). Following this, the measures will be evaluated, adjusted if necessary and, if necessary, made permanent.
- for students
Funding for additional childcare for students during examination periods
Under the following conditions, student parents can apply for reimbursement of the costs of additional childcare:
- You are in examination or graduation phases.
- You have child(ren) under the age of 12 or child(ren) in need of care.
- You do not have an employment contract with Bielefeld University.
All further information on how to apply can be found at the Family Service.
There is no legal entitlement. Limited funds are available for the measures.
- for scientists in the qualification process
The University would like to enable academics with family responsibilities to spend more time on their research by providing research support or reducing their teaching workload. You can apply for funding under the following conditions:
- You are in a phase between starting your doctorate and completing a post-doctoral habilitation or additional academic achievements in accordance with § 36 HG NRW and
- You are looking after children up to the age of 12 or children in need of care in your own household or are caring for relatives.
You can apply for a maximum of 7 hours/ week per person for up to 12 months .
Please submit the application informally by e-mail to karriere.medizin@uni-bielefeld.de. In the e-mail, please state that you are applying for a position as a family support worker and briefly describe your family situation (number of children under 12 years of age/persons in need of care). As soon as the Dean's office has approved your application, you will receive feedback. Please also let us know the name of the assistant you would like to employ.
There is no legal entitlement. Limited funds are available for the measures.
- for teaching staff with a high teaching load
The university would like to relieve teaching staff with a high teaching load and family responsibilities when preparing and/or organising courses. You can apply for funding under the following conditions:
- You look after children up to the age of 12 or children in need of care in your own household or care for relatives.
You can apply for a maximum of 7 hours/week per person for up to 12 months .
Please submit the application informally by e-mail to karriere.medizin@uni-bielefeld.de. In the e-mail, please state that you are applying for a position as a family support worker and briefly describe your family situation (number of children under 12 years of age/persons in need of care). As soon as the Dean's office has approved your application, you will receive feedback. Please also let us know the name of the assistant you would like to employ.
There is no legal entitlement. Limited funds are available for the measures.
- Information for pregnant students and students with children
The information portal Studying with a child provides an overview of relevant topics for studying with a child and for pregnancy during studies.
In order to take advantage of the statutory protection in accordance with the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG) and the associated compensation benefits (e.g. substitute services, such as working on worksheets when attending laboratory practicals is prohibited), it is necessary to report the pregnancy (or breastfeeding period) via the family portal.
The checklist for pregnant and breastfeeding students (only available in German) serves to provide the best possible support in organising your medical studies during maternity leave and breastfeeding. We look forward to helping you with the further organisation of your studies.
The information on the framework conditions for studying medicine with a child (only available in German) provides an overview of the most important (examination) legal framework conditions as well as information on family support measures within the framework of BiMediC.
- Baby changing facilities in R1 and R2
In building R1, there are toilet rooms with nappy-changing facilities in building sections A and D:
- D0-108, D3-120 and A0-41 are each equipped with an electrically height-adjustable changing table
- D1-120, D2-115, A1-41 and A3-41 are each equipped with a manually fold-out changing table
In building R2, toilet facilities with nappy-changing facilities are located in building section Z (central area between building sections A and B):
- Z0-101, Z1-101, Z2-101, Z3-101, Z4-101 - the toilets are each equipped with a manually fold-out changing table
All toilet facilities are accesible toilets. The changing tables are therefore accessible to people of all genders.
- Breastfeeding rooms in R1 and R2
In building R1, there is a breastfeeding and quiet room in room B0.19 on the ground floor of building part B.
In building R2, there is a breastfeeding and quiet room in room Z2-105 on the second floor of building part Z (central area between building parts A and B).
The breastfeeding and quiet room in R4 follows.
- KidsBox - The mobile parent-child office
With the help of the KidsBox, employees of the medical school OWL can take good care of their child at work if the child is taken to work in a special situation. This may be the case, for example, if the carer is ill and important work still needs to be done on site. With the KidsBox, the workplace can be transformed into a "parent-child office" at short notice. The KidsBox can simply be rolled to any workplace.
The KidsBox is equipped with helpful materials for caring for babies and children up to primary school age. Consultation with supervisors and colleagues should take place before the child is brought to the workplace.
There is one KidsBox in each of the buildings R1, R2 and R4. Information on the reservation options and collection will be published shortly. Please contact gleichstellung.medizin@uni-bielefeld.de if you need the KidsBox on an interim basis.
- FAQs - KidsBox
FAQs - KidsBox
How does the KidsBox work?
The KidsBox is equipped for babies and children up to primary school age. Whilst your child is temporarily cared for and occupied in an age-appropriate manner, work tasks can be carried out.
The KidsBox contains
- a travel cot, which is also suitable as a playpen
- a folding mattress and sleeping mat for crawling and playing on the floor
- a clip-on seat for docking onto their own desk
- Stool and table for slightly older children
- various toys and colouring materials
- a changing mat
- Disinfectant and first aid equipment
- hygiene articles
- Books and much more that is useful and practical for smaller children
The KidsBox can be opened to create a protected area for breastfeeding and nappy changing.
Who can use the KidsBox?
Employees of the medical school OWL with small children who have an office workplace can use the KidsBox.
When can the KidsBox be used?
If regular childcare is cancelled unexpectedly and urgent work tasks need to be completed, the child can be brought to the workplace temporarily and the KidsBox can be used. Consultation with superiors and colleagues is required before the child is brought to the workplace.
When may the KidsBox not be used?
The KidsBox may not be used if the child being cared for is suffering from an infectious disease (chickenpox, mumps, measles, scarlet fever, rubella, gastrointestinal illness, Covid-19, flu or similar) or is suspected of having one of these diseases.
Use is also excluded in the case of severe febrile illnesses or infestation with transmissible parasites (head lice, fleas, etc.).
What do I need to bear in mind?
Duty of supervision
Use of the KidsBox is at your own risk. The KidsBox user is responsible for the supervision of the child being looked after. The child may not be left unsupervised.
Careful use
Users are responsible for the careful use of the KidsBox and its contents.
Hygienic cleaning
Users are obliged to clean the KidsBox after each use.
Transport of the KidsBox
The dimensions are 120 x 105 x 66 cm. The KidsBox has castors and can therefore be easily transported to the place of use. When the KidsBox is no longer in use, it must be cleaned and returned to the collection point.