Being an employer of choice is one of our priorities. At VSB-TUO, we therefore continue to introduce and develop measures that support transparency, fair working conditions, professional development, a safe working environment and open communication.
The European Charter as a Common Framework
The European Charter for Researchers remains the key strategic document underpinning our work. It provides an important framework for developing working conditions, career opportunities and the professional environment in research. Its principles are reflected in many areas of university life and help us set the direction for further development.
Its four key pillars – Ethics, Integrity, Gender and Open Science; Researchers’ Assessment, Recruitment and Progression; Working Conditions and Practices; and Research Careers and Talent Development – are now also represented by new logos. These will gradually accompany communication on the individual areas and help us better illustrate how the principles of the European Charter are reflected in everyday life at our university.
The four pillars should not be seen as isolated areas. They are closely interconnected and together create the conditions for high-quality work, professional development, and a safe and respectful working environment.
HR Award as a Commitment to Further Development
The renewal of the HR Award is therefore not merely a formal process. It is an opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved so far, evaluate the measures we have implemented, and identify the areas in which we want to make further progress. Our preparations therefore also include ongoing monitoring of the activities implemented, their evaluation, and the preparation of materials for the European Commission’s evaluators’ visit.
Our aim is not simply to introduce individual measures on an ongoing basis, but to integrate them into the university’s operations in the long term and continue developing them in line with the needs of our employees and the changing research and higher education environment. Employee feedback and their experiences of everyday working life also play an important role in this process.
We are also fully integrating these principles into the current VSB-TUO Gender Equality Plan 2026–2030. This represents another important tool for the systematic development of the university environment and the promotion of equal opportunities.
Linking the HR Award with gender equality enables us to take a more comprehensive view of the working environment – from fair recruitment and career development through working conditions to fostering a respectful organisational culture. Our shared goal is to create a modern, open and respectful environment for all our employees, providing opportunities for professional development, collaboration and the full use of their skills and potential.
The journey towards the renewal of the HR Excellence in Research Award is therefore not a one-off activity. It is part of VSB-TUO’s long-term commitment to being a responsible, modern and high-quality employer that provides good conditions for work, research, professional growth and talent development. The entire university community contributes to this effort – and it is through our shared commitment that we can continue to improve our working environment.