DESY encourages the balance between work and private life and promotes corresponding measures, putting into practice family-friendly and flexible working-time models, e.g. part-time and telework. In addition, DESY offers a family service to its employees, including counselling and the provision of contacts with regard to child care, support for elder people, household services and pet care. A bilingual kindergarten and a parent-child office complete the DESY support programme for families. The balance between work and family life is a key prerequisite for equal employment opportunities for women and men, and DESY strives for equal opportunities. Not least, family-friendliness is an attractive factor which may be decisive for choosing a specific employer.