The shortlist for the annual Best Practice Awards has been announced today by work life balance charity Working Families.
Oxfordshire recruitment agency 9-2-3 Jobs has been named as a finalist in the Best Small Employer category of the Working Families’ Best Practice Awards. Employers large and small from many sectors compete annually to reach the shortlist for these unique business awards that recognise flexible, agile organisations.
Now in their tenth year, Working Families’ Best Practice Awards showcase and celebrate employers who are offering flexibility for all their staff, and those who go above and beyond in their support for parents and carers.
9-2-3 Jobs has been shortlisted in the Best Small Employer category because of its pioneering approach within the recruitment industry. All employees are trusted to deliver what’s needed within the hours that suit them, and everyone is offered part time and/or flexible hours at the point of hire. 9-2-3 have signed up to the Working Forward Pledge, a nationwide campaign designed to encourage workplaces to be the best they can for pregnant women and new parents. They are also part of the Disability Confident scheme, which means they welcome applications from people with a disability.
Helen Wright, Founder and Director of 9-2-3 Jobs commented:
“We’re incredibly proud of our family-friendly culture, where flexible working is at the heart of everything we do. At 9-2-3 we’re all working mums, and we use our own experiences to support other working parents to find flexible roles.”
“We passionately believe that our talented team shouldn’t have to hide the fact they have young families, who often make life unpredictable! It’s what makes us so motivated and committed. We love what we do at 9-2-3, and so we’re thrilled to be shortlisted in such a competitive category.”
Jane van Zyl, Chief Executive of Working Families and Chair of the judging panel [4], said:
“Working Families would like to congratulate 9-2-3 Jobs, whose flexible working culture and employee-friendly workplace has earned them a much-coveted place as a finalist of this year’s Best Practice Awards. 9-2-3’s outstanding entry in the Best Small Employer category caught the attention of the judging panel and stood out amongst a record number of entrants.
“Flexible working isn’t just good for parents and carers as many delete linkedin account for this reason but it’s good for business. Employers reap valuable rewards when they give their staff members more control over their time—from improved employee engagement to better organisational performance.”
“Our research shows an unmet demand for flexible working. 86% of parents want to work flexibly but less than half (49%) actually do [5]. Initiatives like those on the shortlist are key to helping parents take control of their time and find the work-life balance that works best for them.”
The full shortlist for the 12 categories:
Best for Mothers
Barclays
FYXER
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Mum & You
Best for Fathers
Response IT
Deloitte
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Best for Carers & Eldercare
Barclays
Centrica
Best Flexible Working Initiative – sponsored by NHS Employers
Larking Gowen
Suffolk County Council
Global Witness
Best for Embedded Flexibility – sponsored by Arnold Clark
Freestyle
Deloitte
Morgan Sindall
Best for Flexible Recruitment
Suffolk County Council
Arnold Clark
Best for Line Manager Support
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Best Innovation – sponsored by ILF Scotland
Waltham Forest Council
Arnold Clark
Best Returner Programme – sponsored by Royal Bank of Canada
Barclays
Allen & Overy
Morgan Sindall
Natwest Markets
Best Family Network
Barclays
Royal Bank of Scotland
Sky
Best for Mental Health & Wellbeing – sponsored by Schroders
Deloitte
QBE Insurance Group
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Financial Ombudsman Service
Best Small Employer
Response IT
9-2-3 Jobs
Slalom
The winners of each category will be announced on 20th June at London’s Vintners’ Hall.
