How does Mobility fit into your life?
In fact, Mobility has recently adapted to my life. I became a father a few months ago and was able to negotiate a working time arrangement that benefits the family. After four weeks of paternity leave, I returned with a 60% workload. Although I am employed at 80%, I receive one day's holiday or unpaid leave per week. In many companies, fathers have to return to work after two weeks. The opportunity to temporarily reduce my workload allows me to spend more time with my family and support my wife, who is currently returning to work. But that's not the only reason why it fits. The most obvious reason is the geographical proximity to where I live. I appreciate being able to cycle to the office. Last but not least, it fits because, as a long-standing Mobility customer, I identify with the product.
You are a digital project manager. What exactly do you do and what is your professional background?
My role involves a mixture of business analysis, project management and operations. I originally worked in sales and logistics and then studied business informatics. Mobility gave me the chance to enter the world of software development from a "lateral" perspective, which is not a matter of course.
At Mobility, people work in the flexwork model and often also from home. What do you like about it?
Our team has two fixed office days, but otherwise we are very free. This proved to be an advantage during coronavirus, as we already had an established home office model at the time. While other companies had to fight to introduce home office, this was not a problem for us. I now consider working from home to be the "new norm" in areas like ours and am delighted with the numerous benefits.
Do you run the risk of being or having to be available too much or at inappropriate times due to flexwork and working from home?
Trust-based working time is not an easy topic. I personally think that clear working hours are better to avoid discussions. In a previous job, I learnt to consistently set myself apart. I'm not available 24 hours a day and I don't work at "odd hours", but if I'm needed, I'll step in - even during the holidays if necessary. That doesn't bother me. But in general, I make a strict distinction between work and leisure time. The evening belongs to me and my family.
Would you recommend Mobility as an employer?
Absolutely. Last summer, a friend of mine started here at Mobility as a project manager whom I had recommended. The team spoke out in his favour, even though he was unable to meet all the requirements in terms of professional experience. It's great to see that Mobility also gives young people without much professional experience a chance. That was also true for me back then. I started as a business analyst even though I had no experience in software development. This shows me that Mobility also looks at the person behind the CV and adapts the role/function to the employee's skills under certain circumstances.
Does that make you feel good as an employee?
Yes, definitely. And it has a positive effect on the team when you work with employees who fit in on a personal level and were not reduced to their CVs during the application process. In my opinion, this can also be seen at Mobility in the fact that people over the age of 60 have been hired. Qualifications are important, but not everything.
Let us summarise: What would you like to emphasise in particular?
The flexibility, especially when it comes to work-life balance issues, and that you are taken seriously as a person. I am not a number, but am valued as an individual.
Your comment