Seven member organisations of Employers for Carers were among the winners of the 2011 Top Employers for Working Families Awards. Organised by work-life balance charity Working Families and validated by the Institute for Employment Studies, the awards recognise organisations which implement the best family-friendly policies.
EfC member organisations featured prominently in this year’s Awards:
The Top 10 Employers for Working Families included EfC members Centrica, Barclays Bank, BT and KPMG. EfC Leadership Group member Centrica was also the winner of the “Best for Flexible Working Award” and the “Best for Fathers Award”.
The Top 11-30 Employers for Working Families included EfC members Deutsche Bank, Sainsbury’s and UBS. Deutsche Bank was also the winner of the “Best for Mothers Award”.
This year, as well as the Top 10 and Top 11-30 Employers for Working Families, there were 6 Special Awards, including the “Legal & General Best for Carers Award”. Winners and commendations in this category were:
Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (winner)
“Recognition of carers as an ‘unheard’ group of employees who were hesitant about asking for support led to the development of a strategy deliberately aimed at carers working in the Trust. An ‘easy read’ guide has been developed and lunchtime sessions for carers are held, as well as sessions aimed at managing stress for carers. The message that flexible working isn’t just for parents has been communicated to managers throughout the Trust. Dependents are widely defined. Carers are assisted with paid emergency dependents’ leave as well as career break options”.
Centrica (commendation and winner of 2010 “Best for Carers/Dependant Care Support Award”)
“A highly developed and long established carer’s policy extends across the organisation to all people. This is backed up with a thriving carer’s network which has run since 2004. Dependants are widely defined, maximising the likelihood of being able to take the carer’s leave. Additional leave is at the discretion of the line manager, and flexible working policies are utilised both long and short term (at line manager’s discretion) to allow people with caring responsibilities the time they need. Paid additional leave may be available, at the discretion of the line manager. All of Centrica’s people can have paid time off for carer’s leave, via an annual leave offset scheme”.
Registers of Scotland (commendation)
“Operating a very flexible flexitime system and a range of options that allow flexibility across the week, month or year means that carers are able to reconcile their work and caring responsibilities. In addition, special leave of up to 10 paid days per annum can be granted to support carers in managing their commitments. Information aimed at carers is available on the organisation’s intranet, including links to local carer support groups”.
More details about the awards can be viewed at http://www.topemployersforworkingfamilies.org.uk/index.php/winners
