Already for the second consecutive year Riga Technical University (RTU) has been recognised as a family-friendly enterprise. On Wednesday, 31 May, at a solemn ceremony RTU Vice-Rector for Development Artūrs Zeps received a special certificate from the Minister of Welfare Jānis Reirs, which allows RTU to position itself in this status for a year. This recognition testifies RTU ability to implement a family-friendly policy while providing services and ensuring family-friendly environment.
RTU Children and Youth University, children activity room Integral Bear (Lācītis Integrālis), RTU Contemporary Dance Studio which provides an opportunity to learn first dance steps not only to the children of RTU staff, but also other children, engineering workshops organised by the university within various events in Latvia are just some examples, which demonstrate university efforts to become a family-friendly educational establishment. For the second consecutive year, on 1 June, on the International Children’s Day, RTU takes part in the event «Children at Work», by inviting children of employees to visit the workplace of their parents and participate in educational and exploratory activities.
The status of «Family-Friendly Enterprise» allows the enterprise to use the logo of event at the establishment and its website, in media and job advertisements for one year.
The status of «Family-Friendly Enterprise» is granted by the Ministry of Welfare, and this year it has been awarded for the tenth time in order to promote the idea of a family-friendly enterprise and attract more and more new businesses. Being fully aware of the need to appeal to the enterprises and promote implementation of family-friendly policies, the Ministry of Welfare has come to an agreement with the Sustainability Index. Since 2011 companies have been jointly developing and integrating relevant criteria into the sustainability index questionnaire that allows identifying and selecting the enterprises, which meet these criteria and demonstrate good practice. One of the criteria for granting the status is the company policies oriented on ensuring efficient balance between employee work and family life, for example, opportunities for teleworking, flexible working hours or part-time employment.
Other criteria include occupational health and safety, customer-centered services, support provided to events organised for children and families, involvement in charity activities. Suitability of the premises and equipment for the needs of children is also taken into account. No less significant is the customer care as it promotes enterprise loyalty, as well as contributes to its reputation also in international markets.
