Do you or someone you know work somewhere in Yorkshire which excels in supporting men in their role as fathers, providing ample leave, flexible working, and other such benefits? If so, you can nominate the organisation for the national Working Dads Employer Awards, co-organised by the University of York’s School for Business and Society.
The University of York and the University of Birmingham Business School’s Equal Parenting Project and Music Football Fatherhood developed the awards to celebrate organisations that recognise and promote the role of fathers in driving gender equality in the workplace.
Organisations can be recognised for excellence in one category, such as flexible working or they can be recognised for outstanding work across multiple areas (i.e. each organisation can apply to one or multiple categories). More information about how to apply can be found on the website.
The winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony in Westminster on 21st June, where organisations, from SMEs through to multinationals will come together to share best practice and celebrate the successes of the winners.
Over the past five years the Equal Parenting Project research team, led by Dr Sarah Forbes and Dr Holly Birkett, has conducted extensive research on fathers in the workplace as well as flexible working usage and intentions among managers and employees since COVID-19. This has significantly informed employer practise and policy decisions promoting gender equality in the workplace.
The awards focus on four key areas where organisations are doing great work to support fathers in the workplace. The key categories of focus are:
- Parental Leave policiese
- Flexible working for Dads
- Supporting Returning Dads
- Leadership and Culture
Elliott Rae, speaker, broadcaster, author and founder of Music Football Fatherhood has worked with organisations over the past few years to help them support their working dads, redefine ideas around masculinity and create safe spaces for culture shifting conversations. Elliott’s powerful keynotes and workshops have been fundamental in helping to break down stereotypes around gender roles in parenting.
These awards have been made possible by the involvement of partners including CBI, Business in the Community, Working Families, CIPD, Global Equality Collective, Pregnant and Screwed, Fatherhood Institute, Future Men and Women’s Medical Foundation.
Dr Sarah Forbes of the University of York School for Business and Society said: “We are so pleased to be running the Working Dads Employer Awards again this year. Last year we saw some amazing examples of companies large and small being passionate and innovative about how they support fathers in the workplace, encourage more fathers to care and promote gender equality. These awards celebrate the wonderful work companies are doing to support fathers, families and gender equality and we are excited to see what employers have been doing in the past year to further this agenda.”
Elliott Rae of Music Football Fatherhood said: "I am delighted that more and more organisations are recognising the importance of supporting working dads to wellbeing, families and gender equity. So to celebrate the employers that are doing work to support fathers in the workplace is brilliant and we can't wait to see how this work is changing lives."
Please contact Harry O'Neill at Insight Media at harry@insightm.co.uk to arrange interviews with the researchers or for any further information.
