Top 30 Family-Friendly Employer for 12th year
Posted on 25 September 2024
We are delighted to share that the national charity for working parents and carers, Working Families, has announced that, for the 12th year running, we’ve been awarded a place on its prestigious and competitive list of the top family-friendly employers in the UK.
Employers were assessed using Working Families’ Benchmark and were scored on four key areas to build a comprehensive picture of their flexible and family-friendly policies and practices that specifically support parents and carers.
Eve Clennell, our Head of People and Experience, says: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised as one of the top 30 organisations for Working Families. At Southdown, flexible working is embedded into our culture. We understand that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach, which is why we’ve made flexibility the default. From part-time hours and job shares to compressed weeks and hybrid working, nearly half of our staff benefit from arrangements that work for them and their personal commitments.
“Our success stems from listening to our employees’ needs, empowering them with the resources and support to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and fostering an inclusive environment. Whether it’s giving team members the freedom to choose their rotas where they can be applied, or ensuring they aren’t expected to work beyond their regular hours, flexibility is at the heart of how we operate.
“Additionally, we’re proud of our ‘This is us’ framework, which drives our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion – ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Together with our employee networks and employee-designed values, we’re building a workplace where everyone feels supported, valued, and able to reach their full potential. We aim to be ‘Brilliant with Our People,’ and I’m very proud of every individual who makes Southdown the inclusive place it is.”
Hannah, lead of Southdown’s Parents and Carers Employee Network group, added: “I am proud to work for Southdown, where flexible and family friendly working is embedded within the culture here. I have personally been able to develop my career, whilst working flexibly enabling me to balance my working life, alongside raising a young family. I feel that Southdown really acknowledges our productivity isn’t about how often you work late (or can’t if you have to get back for the school pick up), they acknowledge what we each can bring to the organisation as individuals.”
This award comes hot on the heels of retaining the Investors in People Gold Award reflecting our commitment to make Southdown a positive and unique place to work. We’re always looking for caring people to join our friendly, supportive team. Take a look at our Jobs page for information on the opportunities available to join us.
