The awards went to the following companies:

• Benkert Dachbegrünung GmbH (Königsberg, Bavaria, landscaping and gardening),
• Dreer GmbH (Ofterdingen, Baden-Württemberg, cleaning services),
• Schwarzmeier e.K. (Arnsdorf, Saxony, interior decoration), and
• Thome u. Bormann GmbH (Prüm, Rhineland-Palatinate, automotive trade, maintenance, and repair).

The "Company Monitor for Family Friendliness" highlights that family-friendly measures remain a priority for 88 percent of businesses surveyed in 2026, even amidst current economic challenges. Family-friendly measures, such as flexible working hours, remote work, and creative freedoms, have grown in importance compared to 2023 (86 percent) and 2015 (77 percent).

Statements

Karin Prien, Federal Minister for Education, Family Affairs, Seniors, Women, and Youth: "German companies demonstrate — even in challenging economic times — their commitment to aligning family and work. They consistently offer family-friendly measures and sometimes expand them further. Our 'Company Monitor' as well as the companies we honour today highlight this dedication. It serves as a powerful message that family-friendliness defines good working conditions and supports the future-readiness of our country, especially given demographic shifts. Businesses need to attract and retain skilled workers to strengthen the balance between family and work, creating optimal conditions for success."

Mareike Wulf, Parliamentary State Secretary for the Federal Minister for Education, Family Affairs, Seniors, Women, and Youth: "The awarded businesses vividly illustrate the diverse, creative solutions that aid family and work compatibility in daily operations. They boost employee motivation and retention while providing a valuable offer for tomorrow's workforce. For younger generations, the balance between career, family, and private life is among the essential criteria when choosing an employer."

Volker Treier, DIHK's foreign trade director and member of DIHK's management board: "These awarded businesses exemplify mid-sized companies' innovative strength and demonstrate an impactful integration of family and work does not depend on business size but rather on the collective willingness to align operational needs and employee needs. They provide key impulses for future-oriented HR policies and tomorrow's workplace."

The Competition

The Federal Ministry's "Small Solutions – Big Impact. SMEs Benefit from Compatibility" competition recognises employers with up to 250 employees finding tailored solutions for combining family and work. An independent jury of auditors selects the prize-winners based on the audit "berufundfamilie" criteria.

Discover more about the winners.

The Study

Conducted since 2003, the "Company Monitor for Family Friendliness" appears once per legislative period by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research, funded by the ministry. Its findings stem from representative surveys of businesses and workers.

Access the "Company Monitor for Family Friendliness 2026" (only available in German).