"Demanding cases are an exciting challenge, but the relationship between work and family should not become unbalanced as a result."  This is how Dr. Karl Rauser, the Nörr Stiefenhofer Lutz partner responsible for personnel, describes the reasoning behind the introduction of "Nörr Family" which stands for facilitating for all staff the harmonisation of family and work in an international commercial law firm.

The care of children and the elderly is a significant element in the programme. For children, a service provider organises reliable care, if necessary within two hours if, for example the child is unable to attend kindergarten due to illness. Qualified care for elderly family members may also be called upon. Long-term care can also be arranged in both cases, if required. Other benefits are introductions to homework supervision, child minders,  babysitters or kindergarten places.

A second element consists of individual part-time working arrangements. "We will not be able to fulfil every wish of our more than 1,000 staff" said head of personnel Wolfgang Troll. Experience with part-time in the past has shown this. "But with flexibility and imagination, we usually reach a mutually satisfactory solution.

Even partners may work part-time on family grounds. "This option is now provided for in the partnership agreement" said Rauser. Nörr Family was introduced in Germany at the beginning of July and will be introduced in the seven offices in Central and Eastern Europe at the beginning of next year.