Germany: ArcelorMittal Eisenhüttenstadt provides “children’s hotel” open 24/7 to its employees

Declining birth rates.  According to Jürgen Peschel, in charge of training apprentices within the company’s professional school on the one hand, and of work-life balance on the other, ArcelorMittal Eisenhüttenstadt’s interest in the subject of work-life balance isn’t new.  At the time of the GDR already, 40% of employees were women (as opposed to 23% today) and childcare services were excellent.  However, with the current decline in birth rate following that of the 1990s, this problem has now gained in intensity.  “Ten years ago, there were twice as many students as there are today” Peschel said.  Therefore, the company decided to take care of the next generation – in its own interest.