The Family Friendly Working Scotland awards recognise employers that can prove they offer exemplary flexible working opportunities for staff
Two charities have been named among Scotland’s best employers for flexible working.
Perth and Kinross Association for Voluntary Services (PKAVS), which works with unpaid carers, minority communities and people with mental health issues, won the award for Best Third Sector Employer in Family Friendly Working Scotland Top Employers Awards 2019.
Kindred Advocacy, which is based in Glasgow and supports parents of disabled children was presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award.
The awards, which are now in their fifth year, celebrate forward-thinking employers who understand how flexibility is good for people – helping them successfully balance work and home life – as well as for business growth.
Figures from Family Friendly Working Scotland show Scots are almost unanimous (95%) in their belief that work life balance is at least as important as salary. This includes nearly a third of the population who feel it is more important. More than half (55%) of Scottish workers say they already work flexibly.
The other well known employers to win awards were Deloitte, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Arnold Clark, Aviva and Cairngorms National Park Authority.
Jamie Hepburn, Scotland’s minister for fair work and skills, presented the awards to winners.
He said: “The Scottish Government is determined to reduce gender inequality and improve women’s position in the workplace and indeed in all aspects of Scottish life.
“The recognition of flexible working as a key component in enhancing staff retention and recruitment is reflected in the fact we are a partner in – and fund – the Family Friendly Working Scotland partnership.
“Offering flexible working practices will attract an under-utilised pool of talent into the labour market and help to tackle the gender pay gap.”
Nikki Slowey, co-director of Family Friendly Working Scotland, said: “Congratulations to all the award-winning organisations, who are nurturing a new way of working in Scotland.
“Offering flexibility around when, where and how people work helps them feel less stressed and more focused. Once again entries for these awards demonstrated the numerous business benefits of flexible working. Organisations entering the awards told us about increased employee engagement and commitment, reduction in absenteeism, healthier workforces and increases in productivity as a result of embedding more flexible ways of working.
“However, demand still outstrips supply when it comes to flexible jobs in Scotland, so we hope more organisations will be inspired by our winners and explore what a more flexible, family friendly and inclusive working culture can do for them.”
The winners were announced to an audience of 150 Scottish business leaders at a spring-themed Brewery Bash at West Brewery in Glasgow on Thursday 21 March.
