Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
UAE-based organisations are increasingly prioritising the needs of working parents, signalling a shift towards more family-friendly workplaces, according to recent research from the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA).
The report, titled “The Future of Work: The Rise of Parent-friendly Workplaces in the UAE”, offers a comprehensive analysis of applications and surveys of 10,000 working parents across 75 organisations, provided as part of the first nation-wide cycle of the Parent-friendly Label (PFL) programme which ran from November 2022 to May 2023.
The PFL ProgrammeThe Parent-Friendly Workplace (PFL) programme was initiated by the Abu Dhabi ECA in 2021, initially rolling out in the UAE capital. By 2022, it had expanded to a nationwide initiative, encompassing private sector, semi-government, and third sector organisations across the UAE. This programme offers a comprehensive set of criteria for organisations to implement in order to earn recognition for their parent-friendly policies and practices.
Internationally, the PFL programme directly aligns with at least three of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), Goal 5 (Gender equality), and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), indirectly supporting several others.
Since its inception, the PFL programme has impacted the lives of 148,000 employees, 50,000 children, 66,890 parents, 1,492 children with special needs, and has made a notable impact across 25 different industries, according to the report.
Key Findings The report revealed a “proactive” commitment to ensuring long-term success by integrating best practices into sustainable policies. Out of the 75 organisations that applied in the PFL in the first nation-wide cycle, 31 reported initiating policy upgrades or actively considering such changes as a result of their involvement with the PFL programme.
Key areas of improvement include formalising practice into policy (39%), adopting flexible work policies (35%), enhancing nursing facilities or hours (35%), and upgrading parental leave benefits (22%).
“These policy enhancements made at organisations not only represent a growing commitment to fostering parent-friendly workplaces, but are also translating into tangible benefits for employees, their families, and their communities. In this way, parent-friendly workplaces are producing real change that is making a practical and meaningful difference in people’s lives,” the report said.
Other highlighted key trends include a shift towards prioritising genuine flexibility, choice, and a holistic approach to work-life balance over traditional treats and perks. The research suggests that among the most valued forms of support for parents, flexible working arrangements stand out.
“Organisations that want to remain competitive in the market and to be viewed as an employer that supports working parents must invest in the provision and promotion of flexible working policies. When these policies are developed and actively encouraged and demonstrated by leadership, it sends a powerful message that work can harmonise with family life.”
Aside from fostering a culture of adaptability and inclusivity, such efforts help employers attract and retain top talent, according to the report.
The rise of parent-friendly workplaces in the UAE reflects a broader trend towards prioritising employee wellbeing and work-life balance, which is bound to have a positive impact on individuals, families, and society at large.