YOUR BENEFITS AS AN EMPLOYEE
We offer a work environment characterized by openness, collaboration, and mutual respect. Discover what we have to offer and the benefits of working for us.
From a structured onboarding process to flexible work models and remote work, to health promotion and a wide range of training and professional development opportunities: We support you in your day-to-day work and throughout the different stages of your life.
COMPENSATION AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS
Compensation and Salary
How am I compensated?
We compensate professors according to the W2 pay scale (pay grade: W2 LBesG NRW(Opens in a new tab) ) plus family allowances; civil servants are compensated according to the A pay scale; and employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement are compensated in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Public Service of the German States (TV-L)(Opens in a new tab) .
In addition, employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement receive an annual bonus, which is generally paid out with the November paycheck.
Other Financial Benefits
What other financial benefits are available?
We offer capital-forming benefits and an additional retirement plan through the Public Sector Supplementary Pension Scheme (VBL)(Opens in a new tab) .
Employees covered by the TV-L collective bargaining agreement are entitled to capital-forming benefits. The employer contribution is currently 6.65 euros. If desired, you can supplement this amount with your own contributions and use it for various savings plans.
WORKING HOURS AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Flexible Work Models and Remote Work
How does working from home work?
We allow employees in technical, administrative, and research roles to largely set their own work schedules within a defined framework. If your job allows it, you can work in the office, from home, or at another suitable location.
For tasks that require on-site presence, separate regulations tailored to daily work routines apply.
We provide you with a work laptop for remote work. With digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams, you can also collaborate with your team while working remotely.
Vacations and Days Off
How many vacation days am I entitled to?
If you work full-time, you are entitled to 30 vacation days per year. In addition, you have the day off on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. This gives you more time to recharge.
Sabbatical
Is it possibleto takea sabbatical?
You can take asabbaticalif you have a permanent employment contract. Depending on the plan, leaves of absence ranging from three to six months—or even longer periods—are possible.
We offer various options for the savings and leave phases.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING
Onboarding
How does the onboarding process work?
We’ll guide you through a structured onboarding process right from the start. A personal mentor from your team will support you as you settle in.
In addition, we invite you to a welcome day for new employees. There, you’ll get to know Fachhochschule Dortmund and Arts better and make your first connections with colleagues from various departments.
We also support professors through the annual “Schichtwechsel” event. It provides a space for interdisciplinary exchange and facilitates the development of a university-wide network.
Further education and training
What opportunities for continuing education and professional development are available?
We offer you opportunities for professional and personal development, including:
a comprehensive in-house professional development and training program, covering topics such as AI skills, time and self-management, project management, and intercultural training
- external professional development and training opportunities
- international employee mobility
- Language courses
FAMILY-FRIENDLINESS AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Our Family Services program helps you balance your career with your family responsibilities. We provide counseling on childcare options, caregiving responsibilities, and other work-life balance issues.
If you have any questions or would like personalized counseling, please feel free to contact Sonja Wentzel and Yasmina Zerkaoui.
Sonja Wentzel, Dipl.-Sozialpäd.
- +49 231 91128292
Please send an e-mail to familienservice@fh-dortmund.de to make an appointment or call us.
Working with a child
Well taken care of at all times: Whether it’s a sudden daycare closure or school vacation—learn more about our childcare support services.
Can I take my child to work in an emergency?
As a family-friendly university, we offer a variety of services you can use with your child.
Changing tables: You’ll find TÜV-certified changing tables at all locations of the Fachhochschule Dortmund.
The KidsBox: You can borrow KidsBoxes containing various toys and activity materials, as well as a portable travel crib.
Parent-Child Room: We provide “parent-child rooms” at our Sonnenstraße, Emil-Figge-Straße, and Max-Ophüls-Platz locations, where you can organize childcare among yourselves, chat with one another, or simply take a break.
Childcare
Are there childcare spots available?
We have a partnership agreement with the Dortmund subdistrict of Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO). This allows us to offer a number of childcare spots.
Is emergency childcare available?
Through Mobile Childcare (MoKi), we offer short-term care for emergencies and off-hours.
For example, if your child’s daycare provider is sick and you have an important appointment at the university, MoKi caregivers will look after your child.
Are there programs during school breaks?
You have the option to use weekly children’s vacation programs in Dortmund and receive a partial reimbursement of the costs. We subsidize the vacation programs with up to 95 euros per week per spot.
Jobs Involving Caregiving Responsibilities
For us, family-friendliness isn’t just about childcare. Even if you’re taking on the responsibility of caring for family members who need assistance, we’ll help you balance your career with your family obligations.
How can I get support if I’m caring for a family member?
Balancing work and caregiving often presents unique challenges. That’s why our Family Services team offers confidential, personalized counseling. Together, we’ll discuss your personal situation, inform you about benefits from the long-term care insurance fund, and find suitable respite and care options—ranging from housekeeping help and escort services to day care, short-term care, or respite care, all the way to inpatient care facilities.
Even if your relatives in need of care live farther away, we’ll help you find the right support services. We’ll connect you with regional resources and provide information on suitable assistance and care options.
Dual Career Service
What kind of support does the Dual Career Service offer?
Through the Dual Career Network Ruhr (DCN Ruhr), we help the partners of newly appointed professors or executives get their careers off the ground in the region.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
We want you to feel completely comfortable in your workplace. That’s why we offer a wide range of programs that provide funding to support your mental and physical health.
If you have any questions or would like personalized counseling, please feel free to contact Ann-Kathrin Zobel and Michelle Grundmann.
Ann-Kathrin Zobel, B.Sc.
- +49 231 91129315
Monday to Thursday from 08:30 to 14:00
Sports and Exercise
What sports and fitness programs are available?
You can take advantage of various sports andfitness programs:
University Sports: Through TU Dortmund University’s University Sports program(Opens in a new tab) , you can participate in more than 250 courses across over 75 different sports. You can also use the on-campus gym (Fitnessförderwerk).
Joint Sports Events: Together with your colleagues, you can participate in sporting events such as dragon boat races, the campus run, or a triathlon.
Corporate Fitness Partnership with FitX: Through our partnership with FitX, you’ll benefit from discounted rates. You’ll work out for 24 euros per month instead of 29 euros and save the 29-euro registration fee.
Sustainable Mobility
Can I use company bicycles?
You can borrow our company bicycles free of charge during work hours to travel between our locations.
There is a contact person for lending at each location. You can also use public bike service stations at our locations.
Relaxation and Recovery
What relaxation and wellness options are available?
If you experience tension in your shoulders and neck due to a sedentary or standing job, you can take advantage of our mobile massage service. A professional massage team of physical therapists offers a full 20-minute back massage for a small copay.
Occupational Medicine
How is occupational health care provided?
We provide your occupational health care in cooperation with the Arbeitsmedizinischer und Sicherheitstechnischer Dienst e. V. (Occupational Health and Safety Service).
Our designated company physician will assist you with matters such as health and ergonomics in the workplace, vaccinations, travel medicine, preventive and fitness-for-duty examinations, and workplace integration management.
Mental Health and Crisis Support
What kind of support is available during personal or professional crises?
If you are facing stressful challenges in yourprofessionalor personal life, you can take advantage of various services we offer to support you. These include the company’s social counselors and external psychological counseling.
DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Fachhochschule Dortmund sees itself as an institution dedicated to imparting knowledge with a commitment to social and societal responsibility.
Equal opportunities and diversity
How are diversity, equal opportunity, and inclusion promoted?
Equal opportunity, diversity, andinclusionare an integral part of our university culture. This commitment has been recognized, among other honors, with the TOTAL E-QUALITY certification(Opens in a new tab) , which honors organizations that promote equality and diversity in a sustainable manner.
Social Engagement
How can I get involved in the community?
You can work together with your colleagues to support the region, for example through the “Dortmunder Tatendrang”(Opens in a new tab) corporate volunteering program or by participating in the Christmas fundraising campaign(Opens in a new tab) (Opens in a new tab) for the Dortmund Railway Station Mission.
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS
Benefits and Perks
What discounts and perks are available?
Through the Benefits.me(Opens in a new tab) platform, you can take advantage of rotating discounts in the areas of travel, leisure, and shopping.
Are there discounts on bicycles and e-bikes?
In partnership with TU Dortmund, we offer our employees discounts on the purchase of bicycles, e-bikes, and bicycle accessories at select regional retailers.
The discounts are valid at participating bicycle retailers in the region. Depending on the retailer, you can enjoy discounts on bicycles, e-bikes, accessories, or clothing. The current terms, conditions of participation, and redemption instructions can be found in the respective retailer information.
WORKING AS A PROFESSOR
A professorship in teaching, research, and other responsibilities combines these activities. We support you from the very beginning and offer you a range of services and conditions to facilitate your work. At Fachhochschule Dortmund, we help you fulfill these responsibilities to the best of your ability by providing the right conditions and services, thereby making it easier for you to get started and to continue your work over the long term.
Services for Professors
Working Conditions and Flexibility
How much flexibility does a professorshipin teaching and researchoffer?
A professorship in teaching and research offers you a great deal of autonomy: Among other things, you determine your research focus, design your internships and seminars, and can participate in committees, thereby helping to shape Fachhochschule Dortmund.
The framework conditions include the lecture schedules and the 18 semester weekly hours (SWS) of teaching, for which you can submit your preferred times to your department’s planning office before the start of the semester.
Allowances
What additional allowances and payments are available?
In addition to family allowances, you are eligible for other temporary allowances orpayments, such as position-based allowances for holding certain positions (e.g., dean) or performance-based allowances for exceptional achievements after five years of employment at the university.
Is it possibleto havea second job?
You may hold a second job, provided it does not exceed one-fifth of your weekly working hours.
Support for Research and Knowledge Transfer
How can I get support for my research?
We offer support in various areas of research. The Research Transfer Office can assist you with many topics, such as establishing research collaborations.
Our research advisors at the Transfer Office are happy to coach and support you in preparing research proposals—from researching funding opportunities for your project idea, to advising on the application process, to submitting research proposals.
Practical and Research Semester
Can I take a practical and/or research semester?
You can apply for a practicum semester or a research semester. This option is governed by Section 40 of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia(Opens in a new tab) and is specified in the university’s internal guidelines.