For Family Reisen GmbH, based in Cologne, is a small, owner-managed travel company with fewer than 20 employees that specialises in sustainable family travel worldwide. Despite its manageable size, the company is remarkably successful in both retaining employees in the long term and attracting young talent. For Family Reisen has received several awards for this, including the "Great Place to Work" award in the "Best Employer in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises" category in 2021 and 2022.
A central element of the HR strategy is the flexibilisation of working conditions. This allows employees to work from any location, which is particularly attractive for young professionals who want a work-life balance and a personalised lifestyle. In addition, flexible working hours enable a better work-life balance - an aspect that is essential for families and young parents in particular.
The company attaches great importance to a sense of purpose and sustainability - values with which many young talents identify. The consistent focus on ecologically and socially responsible travel not only has an image-building effect, but also creates an internal identity. Employees appreciate working in a value-orientated environment that assumes genuine social responsibility.
Another building block for employee retention is the participative corporate culture. New ideas are developed and integrated into decision-making processes in regular team workshops and feedback rounds. These flat hierarchies and transparent communication promote identification with the company and a strong sense of community.
For Family Reisen also invests specifically in the further development of its employees. Each employee has a fixed annual training budget that can be utilised individually. New colleagues are supported by internal mentoring, which not only makes it easier to get started, but also strengthens the transfer of knowledge.
These targeted measures enable the company to create a modern, appreciative and innovation-friendly working culture - and thus to position itself clearly in the competition for young talent.