Top employers for working families praised for flexible approach ⁰

The financial sector is well represented in this year’s annual list of Top Employers for Working Families as announced by charity Working Families. American Express, Barclays Bank, Citibank, Deloitte and Lloyds all made the list, while just two public sector organisations Ministry of Justice and Southdown Housing Association were in the top ten. Employers with up to 250 employees that reached the Small Employer’s Benchmark – ranged from law firm Sacker & Partners LLP to Bristol Students’ Union.  To enter the awards, which are sponsored by Computershare, organisations must complete a benchmark survey which examines in detail their flexible and family friendly working policies and practices. As flexible working becomes embedded in more organisations, Working Families is calling on employers to ‘adopt a ‘flexible by default’ approach, to continue the rise in flexible working and help everyone to achieve a work life balance that works for them.’

Now in its sixth year, the 2015 benchmark was the first in the series to take a look at the way organisations are setting up their Shared Parental Leave schemes. Top-scoring benchmark entrants gain a place in the final published list of thirty Top Employers for Working Families. And the highest-scoring entrants who have won through to the final official list are:

The Top 10 Employers for Working Families (A-Z)

• American Express
• Barclays Bank PLC
• Centrica
• Citi
• Deloitte LLP
• DWF LLP
• EY
• Lloyds Banking Group
• Ministry of Justice
• Southdown Housing Association

Top 11-30 (A-Z)

• Addleshaw Goddard LLP
• Aimia
• Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Computershare
• Hogan Lovells
• iCrossing
• KPMG LLP
• National Assembly for Wales
• Oliver Wyman
• Pinsent Masons LLP
• Royal Mail Group
• Santander UK
• Simmons & Simmons
• Sysdoc Limited
• The London School of Economics and Political Science
• The Scottish Government
• The University of Lincoln
• UBS AG
• Wales & West Housing
• Westfield Europe Limited

Employers with up to 250 employees could opt to enter a tailored Small Employer Benchmark.  The benchmark for small and medium employers is now in its third year and demonstrates that good practice and innovation are flourishing in this sector. Organisations who have made the final list in 2015 are:

The Top 10 Small Employers for Working Families (A-Z)

Brand Learning Group Ltd

Bristol Students’ Union

CiC Employee Assistance)

Edison Investment Research Ltd

Effective HRM Limited

iCrossing

Parental Choice Ltd

Sacker & Partners LLP

Solve HR Ltd

Workpond

Top-scoring Small Employer Benchmark entrant Sacker & Partners will be named as the overall Top Small Employer for Working Families.

Sarah Jackson, Chief Executive of Working Families said: “Working Families congratulates the top 30 organisations and top 10 small employers who have gained a well-deserved place as a Top Employer for Working Families.

“In a working environment where the Right to Request flexible working and Shared Parental Leave are now a reality, these employers have shown leadership and innovation in their policies and practices, and will reap the rewards of attracting the best talent and having a loyal and engaged workforce.”

Julian Foster, Managing Director at Computershare said: ‘The best employees have rounded existences, and the best employers do not force their staff to compromise their commitment to their families, so congratulations to all the winners of these important awards.

Flexible working creates happier and healthier workforces that are hardworking, committed and loyal, and it’s great to have had another chance this year to share ideas and reward those organisations that empower their employees.”