Scots firms given family friendly working awards

Family Friendly Working Scotland hands out gongs to the companies modelling family friendly working including one that saved £350,000 since embracing homeworking

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Flexible working saved one firm £350,000 in travel costs last year. Scottish Water’s eye catching result bagged them the title of best public sector employer at the Family Friendly Working Scotland awards.

The awards ceremony had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. However its findings were particularly apt given the ongoing situation that has led to a huge increase in homeworking.

Scottish Water reckon their employees cover 200,000 fewer business miles since they embraced flexible working. That brings financial and environmental benefits.

Agile working

Lucy MacLennon, people consultant at Scottish Water, said: “We have agile working practices firmly embedded throughout our business, enabling our employees to carry out their role effectively regardless of their location. Through agile working we can help our people achieve a more balanced approach to work and home life, in turn providing health and wellbeing benefits and retaining talent in our workforce. This approach has also helped us to significantly reduce business travel – saving time and money, and supporting our ambition for net-zero emissions.”

Other winners at the digital ceremony included the Scouts. They were recognised for offering parents a wide range of part-time contracts, compressed hours, early and late finishes, annualised hours, phased retirement, short- and long-term arrangements. Employees at Scouts Scotland can make use of an onsite school holiday childcare club offering a 25% discount.

Edinburgh Airport was recognised for pioneering work in supporting mental health. They’ve achieved increased referrals to occupational health but fewer staff absences.

Positive impact

Hymans Robertson were named best large employer for boosting paternity leave and making leave a day one right. 90% work flexibly at the firm and turnover is low.

Research by Family Friendly Scotland shows 87% of Scottish business leaders who offer flexible working say it has had a positive impact on their business.

Nikki Slowey, co-director of Family Friendly Working Scotland, said: “The timing of our awards this year makes our message even more crucial. The impact of coronavirus means more people than ever are working from home, and for some this is a very new and different way to work, or have their staff working.”