What does your typical working day look like?

First, I check my emails, team communication and appointments for the day. I answer the most important topics immediately and then briefly go through my task list for the day - organising and prioritising the tasks. Then I log in to the customer system and check my inbox for incoming tasks. If necessary, I then reprioritise and process the most important tickets from the customer first before moving on to implementing and programming the change requests, revising the departmental programs and, for example, process development in UC4. In between, there are also jour fixe appointments with the customer. At the same time, I respond to the tickets that arrive from the customer by email - regarding the operation and maintenance of the customer system or for short-term data and program analysis. I usually end the working day by prioritising any outstanding tasks and writing them down in my to-do list. Then I shut down the computer so that I can actually finish the working day and start my free time or family time. 😉

What's great about your job?

The diverse range of projects ensures that the work is always varied, allowing you to continuously learn something new.

What makes your team special?

We help and support each other, share our knowledge with others and want to achieve good results together. We all pursue a common goal.

What advice would you give applicants?

Open communication and feedback are important to HMS. This is also practiced. Team spirit is also very important here.

What has been your most exciting project so far?

There have been many. The most interesting projects for me were those in the pharmaceutical sector, because I am also interested in the subject matter, as well as projects where you can delve deep into the data to create "knowledge from data".

What aspects of your job do you find challenging?

Getting to grips with the different "customer types" and project characters is sometimes a challenge, but it's also fun. Every project is different and brings different challenges.

Why is your employer a good fit for you?

HMS offers me a variety of tasks and every employee the opportunity to develop and make a personal contribution. Thanks to the flexible working hours and hybrid working, I am able to balance work, private life and family.

What are your tasks and goals as a person of trust?

I am the point of contact for colleagues when it comes to issues relating to the compatibility of work, family and care as well as work-life balance. But I can also be approached in the event of conflicts or issues that do not want to be discussed directly with the manager. I support the HR department with new ideas and help to develop and implement actions.

How long have you been working in this role and how were you appointed?

I was interested in the topics surrounding work-life balance, as I am also in the situation of having two children and managing my private and professional life. I wanted to pass on my experience and bring the resulting needs to the company in order to develop new actions. My predecessor left the company in the fall of 2016 and suggested me as a person of trust.

What does it take to do the work of a person of trust?

Being a good listener is sometimes enough. Apart from that: being impartial, understanding the company's point of view but also the individual. Of course, you also need to be familiar with the actions and opportunities relating to work-life balance at HMS, the legal requirements and the offers in the region in order to be able to give good tips and advice.

What topics are employees particularly interested in?

I often advise young, expectant parents on the processes that need to be followed at HMS and what options they have. Whether it's applying for parental leave or what options there are for childcare in and around Heidelberg. Often it is also simply an exchange of experiences.

Why do you consider this role important?

This role can provide new impetus and bring it into the company. Through personal discussions, you can develop new actions and find out what is important to colleagues and what can be improved at HMS. It is also a nice signal to the employees to have a contact person or a first point of contact for problems and questions of any kind.

Which topics do you think will become more important / relevant in the future?

Communication, cooperation and frictional losses due to the mobile office will probably become more relevant. Due to the mobile office time during the pandemic and probably also partly continuing remote working "after pandemic", it will become more important to work on communication with each other. Always make sure that the work-life balance is right: e.g. that you can get away from work in the evening. Even "after pandemic", a large proportion of the workforce does not want to come back to the office 100% and it will simply be important not to lose sight of the employees at home and to respond to their needs in the mobile office. Although many young colleagues are being hired at HMS, I think that the topic of care and partial retirement will become increasingly important in the future.

What is the parents' café?

The parents' café is a private and informal exchange between colleagues on the subject of children, family, education and "being parents". It takes place either as a pure exchange of experiences or topics are specified. The dates are planned and arranged individually.

How has the parents' café been received?

The feedback so far has been good. In one meeting, it was specifically noted that it creates a nice opportunity for fathers to exchange ideas with each other. The format was launched in December 2021, but several colleagues have already signed up for the series.

What is your vision for the Parents' Café?

My wish for the parents' café is that it becomes well established in the work and family offerings at HMS and continues to be well received, that the exchange takes place actively and that colleagues can also learn something.