Family Friendly Employer Awards 2018

Belfast International Airport was crowned overall winner at the 2018 Awards, and also won the ‘Medium Private Sector’ category. Overall the entry was very strong showing innovation, progression, timelines, statistics, evidence of planning for the future as well as effective methods of communicating and connecting with employees.  In short, this organisation proved how and why it goes above and beyond to provide a family friendly environment for its employees.

A very worthy winner — Adventures Day Nursery presented a really high quality entry.  They demonstrated some innovative ideas in what the judges described as a truly ‘creative’ approach to being family friendly. Having achieved 100% satisfaction in their latest staff survey, shows that their employees definitely agree that they are being well supported! Throughout the application it was evident that this organisation is family friendly to the core, and that support extends to the families of staff.

ABCO Marine made a real impression on all of the judges – they felt the ethos of the company came through in the application and they especially loved the fact that the entry referenced the specific challenges they had faced due to the nature of their business.

Clanrye Group impressed the judging panel with an easy to read form that was well presented and clearly structured. They showed clear evidence of a developing portfolio of family friendly initiatives and demonstrated great communication of these initiatives.  The judges were particularly impressed that 20% of the company’s employees have been with them for 10+ years. Overall this was described as a “strong submission”. The judges unanimously agreed that this organisation is a very worthy winner.

Bryson Group demonstrated how 60% of their employees have accessed flexible working. A low rate of staff turnover and high rate of staff retention shows what a positive impact their family friendly practices are having on their employees.

Aisling Daycare & AfterSchools demonstrated some really innovative family friendly initiatives (including discounted car repairs for employees – the judges particularly loved that one!) – backed up by statistics, which the judges really rated!

The judges agreed that The Cedar Foundation demonstrated a family friendly approach that was truly embedded in the culture of the organisation — and were impressed by the ways in which the family friendly culture was promoted internally.  This submission was very strong on the ‘why’ of being family friendly and had great evidence of how feedback from staff was used constructively.

The judges rated the way Choice Housing provided good tangible examples of what they are doing currently and their future plans for progression.  They also demonstrated evidence of responsiveness and genuine flexibility in accommodating staff requests for family friendly working.

Allstate NI demonstrated an excellent range of family friendly initiatives which also displayed some genuine innovation. They had given real thought to what well-being in the workplace context means and showed great ongoing development and progression in their journey along the family friendly path.  One initiative which impressed all of the judging panel was ‘buckle up baby’ where a free car seat is provided for each newborn!

The judges rated the way Citi Belfast demonstrated how it was taking on board feedback from its employees and, in particular, noted how the company recognises that being family friendly is not just something that applies to the females in the workplace! They loved the idea of a ‘diversity’ team in this company and believed it showed a true culture of being family friendly.

The judges described South Eastern Regional College‘s entry as “overall a very good application” – it gained marks for being easy to read and clear. It focused strongly on outcomes and showed a great range of initiatives that go beyond what is statutory, particularly in the public sector. One judge noted the entry showed “excellent examples of really making a difference to employees’ work and family lives”.

Belfast City Council impressed the judges with the way evidence was shown of promoting family friendly initiatives to all staff, no matter what type of environment they worked in, not just those who were office-based.