The Work-Life Balance at Vytal: Conversations with Four Team Members

At Vytal, it's important to us not only to work for a meaningful cause but also to ensure that our team members enjoy working with us and want to stay. We believe that a balanced relationship between work and leisure helps keep employees motivated and, therefore, productive.

Why Is a Good Work-Life Balance Important?

Studies have shown that people with a healthy balance between work and leisure are not only happier but also healthier and more efficient. At Vytal, we place great value on ensuring that our employees have enough time for hobbies, family, and friends.

How Do We Ensure Work-Life Balance at Vytal?

• Flexible Working Hours and Remote Work:
  Our employees can adapt their work to their individual needs.
• Positive Work Atmosphere:
  We work in an open and supportive environment where we motivate one another. Regular team events and social activities strengthen team cohesion and create a pleasant work atmosphere.

Maintaining a balanced work-life dynamic is crucial for both the well-being of our employees and the success of our company. We are convinced that this balance keeps our team members motivated and productive, contributing significantly to Vytal’s success.

Interviews with Four Vytal Employees on Their Work-Life Balance

Meet the Interviewees:

• Jan: Head of People & Culture, 28 years old, lives with his partner, son, and dog Bella in colorful Berlin. He prefers working in the office to collaborate with other Vytalists but appreciates the flexibility to work remotely when needed.
• Josi: Head of Product, 34 years old, lives with her husband and three children in Hürth near Cologne. She enjoys working in the office for the camaraderie and cafeteria but occasionally prefers working from home, especially on rainy days.
• Alex: Senior Project Manager for Marketing, 38 years old, lives with her husband and two daughters in Cologne. She works three days in the office and two days at home, which is convenient as the office is only five minutes away.
• Nina: Head of Customer & Partner Support, 34 years old, lives with her husband in Eichenried near Munich. She primarily works from home, saving two hours of commuting daily but sometimes misses in-person interactions with colleagues.

Combining Family, Leisure, and Work

• Jan: "I want to start by thanking my partner, who takes on much of the caregiving work. We try to organize everything through a Trello board and clear task distribution, but I know she currently carries the larger burden. I use time tracking at work to manage my schedule and monitor how I spend my time. In startups, leisure can sometimes be limited, but I make time for regular sports, which helps me stay energized at work and home."
• Josi: "I work 30-35 hours a week at Vytal, spend about 65-70 hours caring for my children, managing household tasks, and organizing daily life. About 50 hours go to sleep, and 15-20 hours are for friends, sports, private calls, and my relationship."
• Alex: "Balancing everything is a daily challenge you need to grow into. Work and family take up most of the week, leaving little time for individual leisure. Still, it's manageable if there's flexibility from both your partner and employer, allowing you to organize your day based on changing needs. Not every employer offers this, so I’m grateful for the privilege at Vytal, which motivates me to go the extra mile when needed."
• Nina: "Work time is work time, and leisure time is leisure time. I try to stick to my total weekly hours to ensure enough time for friends, family, and personal activities."

What Freedoms Does Vytal Give You?

• Jan: "Flexibility in how and when I work, whether on the train to visit my parents, in the office, or from home. Being able to bring my dog to the office boosts everyone's satisfaction. Additionally, working abroad for up to 30 days a year is possible."
• Josi: "Vytal allows me to work wherever I want and adjust my schedule to my daily life, such as starting early or catching up later if my kids are sick or daycare is closed."
• Alex: "Flexible scheduling, choosing between office and home office, and the option for unpaid leave upon request are just some advantages. I can set the pace for my development and have creative freedom in my work."
• Nina: "I can largely design my work schedule in coordination with my team, which is a huge help for maintaining a healthy work-life balance."

Additional Support from Vytal

• Josi: "Many leaders and other team members at Vytal are parents, creating a supportive understanding of the unique challenges we face. That removes pressure to justify our situations."
• Jan: "Being able to take 4.5 months of parental leave as a male leader in a startup was invaluable. The GuudCard and Urban Sports Club membership also support fitness and healthy eating."
• Nina: "I completed a part-time professional course last year and could always attend classes by adjusting my work hours accordingly."
• Alex: "Choosing between home office and office work and adjusting my schedule flexibly relieves a lot of stress when dealing with children’s illnesses or unexpected changes. The team’s understanding of family issues, despite a mostly young, child-free workforce, is invaluable."

How Was It at Previous Employers?

• Jan: "Similar — I believe this should be standard everywhere today."
• Josi: "Since I had children during my Ph.D., I only took jobs compatible with family life. This should be a given, and I would always demand that flexibility. I’ve always valued work more than leisure because I enjoy my job and work a lot. Realistically, you can't have it all—family time, personal time, and a responsible job. There are only 24 hours in a day, and you have to prioritize."
• Alex: "There was understanding for family issues, but no home office or flexible working hours, which I now consider essential."
• Nina: "Previous employers had strict working hours with no flexibility."

Beyond Work-Life Balance: Why Do You Enjoy Working at Vytal?

• Jan: "I wanted to invest my work hours in something meaningful. Takeaway food is here to stay, and making this sector sustainable to protect future generations is my goal."
• Josi: "I can take responsibility, have trust placed in me, enjoy great flexibility in time and location, and fully identify with the product and idea behind it."
• Alex: "I love the product and find it valuable and meaningful. I appreciate my colleagues and enjoy being part of a constantly evolving startup, contributing ideas, and helping shape its growth."
• Nina: "Sustainability is personally important to me. Vytal has created a product that reduces packaging waste in daily life! With flat hierarchies, I can set up processes and help shape the company. I also love the strong team cohesion at Vytal."

We sincerely thank our employees for their openness in this interview. We are proud of our diverse and strong team, committed to supporting them and providing the flexibility they need. We aim to continue offering opportunities for them to thrive and reach their full potential.

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