Since 2003, the federal state of Berlin, Germany, has honored locally-based companies that provide exemplary training and jobs to severely disabled people. At this year’s award presentation, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) was gratified to receive the Inclusion Award for the medium-sized company category.
In Berlin-Adlershof, 180 employees make sealing bellows for automotive chassis and steering systems. The number of severely disabled on staff is currently thirteen. Plant Manager Dr. Matthias Götzfried and HR Manager Nadia Novella say the employment of people with disabilities is consistent with Freudenberg’s company values. So hiring the disabled is quite naturally standard practice in Berlin. “As an employer, we have a responsibility to society,” Novella said, highlighting FST’s commitment to equal representation. It is a view she shares with Götzfried. “For us, inclusion is not an extra burden. These employees make a very important contribution in production and logistics, product development and quality control,” he said. Novella is a member of the facility’s inclusion team, along with two works council members and two representatives of the severely disabled.
At Berlin-Adlershof, FST accommodates long-time employees when limitations are noticed. Some examples involve disabled-friendly designs of the workplace or work environment using highly adjustable desks, lifting aids, flexible working hours or other assistance.
