This year, the eight INTERSPAR bakeries in Austria and about 80 of its catering outlets were awarded the ‘berufundfamilie’ (Work and Family) state quality mark for the first time. The 70 INTERSPAR Hypermarkets and SPAR Austria's head offices also received the state quality mark again. As part of SPAR Austria, a major private employer in the country and a family business for over 70 years, INTERSPAR places an emphasis on combining family and career.

The award recognises companies that create a family-friendly working environment. This is particularly important for part-time employees, especially women.

Family-friendly work environment

INTERSPAR focuses on holistic measures to address employees’ life situations. A project group, including INTERSPAR employees, the works council, management, and an auditor, developed these family-friendly measures. They include flexible work time models, active parental leave management, and an expanded training and education programme to improve work-family compatibility.

Balancing work and family

Michaela Scalzotto: Michaela has been with INTERSPAR since 2005, working in various administrative roles. After her second maternity leave in 2017, her manager and regional director worked together to find a position that suited her qualifications and needs as a mother. This approach has allowed her to balance important moments in her children’s lives with her work responsibilities.

Bálint Rostási: Bálint and his wife moved from Hungary and have no local childcare support. Predictable working hours at Café Cappuccino at EUROPARK Salzburg shopping centre helps them manage childcare. If unexpected issues arise, colleagues and his understanding boss provide support.

Alexander Matzer: As a chef at the INTERSPAR restaurant in EUROPARK Salzburg, Alexander appreciates the fixed working hours that allow him to plan childcare with his wife. This enables him to spend quality time with his child. Supportive managers and colleagues, along with a family-friendly company, are crucial for balancing work and family life.

Source: SPAR Austria

Read more about SPAR Austria.

About SPAR Austria

The origins of SPAR in Austria date back to 1954, but the current SPAR AG was created in 1970 when the original founding families joined other regional wholesalers to form SPAR Austria AG – a 100% privately owned Austrian company. With licences granted by SPAR International, ASPIAG (Austria SPAR International AG) has developed the brand in Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, and Northern Italy.