8 major reasons why people enter the Top Employers for Working Families awards

1) Almost half the people employed in the UK work flexibly

Flexible working is moving into the mainstream. Although only 10.5 million workers have a "right to request" flexible working, already 14 million people in the UK work flexibly (BERR Press Release 2007) which compares with the almost 29 million in work in December 2009 (Office of National Statistics). 95% of employers say that they offer some form of flexible working (Third Work Life Balance Employer Survey BERR 2007).

2) Family-friendly working provides a competitive edge

While jobs today may be hard to get, employers should be looking ahead to the economic recovery. Being a good employer is not just a luxury for the good times: being a good place to work should be seen as a prized asset. The availability of good flexible working practices is a key competitive strategy in the labour market. Employers need to learn to benchmark to ensure they're an employer of choice and are not falling behind. Also, good employers need to let prospective employees (and existing ones) know that they have good family friendly policies. Employers should aim to be leaders in this field. Lots of organisations have policies. This is about making these policies actually count for something, and demonstrating that.

3) Society is changing and employers need to adapt

Employers need to adapt their policies according to the way in which society is changing. Men, for example, are now wanting more family friendliness. Benchmarking is important in this area as it emerges. The Top Employers list showcases new best practice and what is effective.

4) Wellbeing is linked with control over working life and performance

Family friendly policies are linked to employee wellbeing and wellbeing in turn, is linked to performance. The smart business is the one which recognises this (and is recognised by the Top Employers list). The Top Employers list therefore recognises 'clever/agile business leadership' as well as companies which are "good places to work".

5) The list supports the dissemination of good practice

The Government will promote awareness among employers and employees of family friendly employment rights and good practice in the Green Paper on Families "Support for all" (DCSF). The Conservatives promise to make the public sector a world leader in flexible working (Conservative draft manifesto for the family). Our awards identify ground-breaking practices, and many of the winners have appeared as exemplars in Government documents.

6) Working Families awards challenge assumptions about what is possible

The Green Paper also says "research suggests that parents who are employed in micro-businesses, large businesses and the public and voluntary sectors are more likely to be able to work flexibly than those who work for small and medium-sized enterprises, the private sector more generally, and traditional male-dominated industries like construction and manufacturing". Working Families previous winners cover a wide range of industries and we have given awards in the past to engineering firms and other male dominated industries such as car companies.

7) Cultures change when the tipping point is reached

As it says in the Working Families report 'Moving Mountains' we must make "unforgettable and unarguable calls for change" to harness the power of the tipping point.

8) European legislation

Family-friendly working is the way the wind is blowing from Europe, where employment legislation power is gradually moving to because of Lisbon. The emphasis will be on quality jobs, active ageing, health and Safety and equality.

Register an interest in the 2010 awards now