Family Friendly Employer Awards Announced

The 8th annual Family Friendly Employer Awards has been announced by Councillor Aileen Graham, Chair of Belfast City Council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.

The awards recognise those employers who go above and beyond the legal requirements to provide family friendly policies.

The Awards, sponsored by Worthingtons Solicitors, are free to enter and the perfect opportunity for businesses to showcase their commitment to their employees with dependents.

Marie Marin, Chief Executive of Employers For Childcare said: "Now in its eighth year, the Family Friendly Employer Awards have gone from strength to strength. More employers than ever are recognising the value of implementing family friendly working practices which they state, enhance staff retention and loyalty.

"Employers have told us they find the benefits of instilling family friendly policies far outweigh the cost, for example, in helping them to retain unique staff knowledge and avoiding valued members of staff leaving. Since the inception of the Awards in 2010, the field of recruitment has changed.

"Employees are more open to moving between employers and, very often, offering a family friendly workplace is as important as salary in attracting and retaining staff. So, it is more important than ever for employers to shout about the family friendly practices they have in place.

"Previous winners have used their Family Friendly Employer logo to highlight their credentials and efforts in supporting their staff, and now is your opportunity. We are encouraging all companies: multi nationals, public sector, start ups, social enterprises, and charities, to get involved. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Worthingtons Solicitors who are the key sponsor of the Family Friendly Employer Awards 2018."

For more information or an application pack visit: Employers For Childcare. The closing date for entries is Friday, 18 May 2018. The shortlisted companies will be selected over the summer months and the winners announced at an Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, 24 October 2018 at the Galgorm Resort & Spa, Ballymena.

Winners, along with their award, will receive a ‘Family Friendly Employer' logo for their website and promotional use, a free month in the 2019 Family Friendly Employer Awards annual calendar (which goes out to more than 3,000 organisations across the UK), and a profile on the Family Friendly Employer blog.

(MH)