The search is on for the UK’s best employers for flexible and family-friendly working
Published: 8 Jan 2021
Working Families calls for entries to find the leading employers who are offering outstanding flexible and employee-friendly workplaces.
Working Families’ prestigious Best Practice Awards for employers leading the way in flexible and family-friendly working are now open for entries.
Now in their twelfth year, Working Families’ Best Practice Awards showcase and celebrate employers who are offering flexibility for all their people and going above and beyond in their support for parents and carers.
For 2021 there is a new award: Best COVID-19 Response.
Employers from a diverse range of sectors from across the UK will compete to win the top prize in the following categories:
- Best for Mothers
- Best for Fathers
- Best for Carers & Eldercare – Sponsored by Crown Prosecution Service
- Best Family Network
- Best for Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Best Innovation
- Best for Flexible Working – Sponsored by Find Your Flex Group
- Best Returner Programme
- Best Small Employer – Sponsored by Independent Living Fund Scotland
- Best Covid-19 Response – NEW!
Entries are judged by an expert panel. The identities of the companies being evaluated are kept anonymous throughout the judging process.
Jane van Zyl, CEO of Working Families, said:
“The last year has brought unprecedented changes to the world of work, and employers have had to adapt quickly. We want to recognise the employers who have really understood the issues faced by all their staff during the pandemic, especially the parents and carers who are dealing with very particular challenges. Our 2021 Best Practice Awards will celebrate the innovative ways that employers are managing flexible working, and some of the family-friendly initiatives that are being implemented to support, motivate and bring out the best in their teams.”
The awards offer employers a chance to establish themselves as leaders in flexible and family-friendly policy and practice. Danny Harmer, Chief People Officer, at Aviva who won last year’s Best for Fathers award said:
“We’re really proud Aviva won the Working Families Best for Fathers Award 2020. We encourage our people to take parental leave and Aviva has long supported colleagues who are parents or have caring commitments. We also have a global carers community and virtual parenting groups, which are proving important as people now grapple with huge changes to their lives. The need for flexibility and support from employers has never been greater.”
Award-winning ideas in 2020 included using technology to provide detailed, current information on the take up of flexible working and parental leave options, employee networks, wellbeing strategies, pre and post natal fitness sessions and life-friendly flexibility. Full case studies of previous winners are available on the Working Families website .
The closing date for entries is 28 February, 2021.