Role Model
Bettina Toennesmann
“The opportunity to work flexibly – especially while my husband who’s also working at Henkel, was staying abroad as an expat – was essential for me.”
| Business Unit: | Henkel Beauty Care |
| Division: | Global MarketResearch-Consumer Insights |
| Job title: | Senior Market Research Manager |
Question 1
What makes your work and working time model special and what benefits do you see?
I am completely flexible in supplying the needs of my department / of my job. My line manager aditionally agrees that I can manage my workload flexibly .
Question 2
Please describe your typical day/work week (e.g. when does your working day start/end? Where do you work? What is your personal work-life balance principle?).
I usually work in the office on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays (less time waste for going forth + back between home and office). If required (meetings, business trips etc.) I change these standard working days. I normally work from about 8.15 a.m. to 5.30 p.m – sometimes to 7 p.m.. If required I work from home in the evening after 8 p.m. or on my at-home days for some hours. On my part-time-days I do sports to keep my balance + health.
Question 3
What advantages does your line manager have in supporting your work model?
Complete flexibility when he or she needs me and in addition a satisfied, motivated and healthy collaborator who achieves maximum of efficiency of my working power and less salary to pay compared to a full-time employee. The job always gets done. And even on the at-home days, the contact to the customers / suppliers is guaranteed. Furthermore there is flexible work transfer among the colleagues.
Question 4
Did the opportunity to work under flexible conditions significantly influence your decision to continue working?
Yes. In some situations and especially when my husband was working outside of Germany as an expatriate, it would not otherwise have been possible for me to work.