ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA)’s Parent-friendly Label (PFL) programme has attracted applications from 83 organisations in its third cycle. This reflects increasing interest from organisations across the UAE, including some world-leading companies. The innovative programme allows semi-governmental, private, and third-sector organisations in the UAE to apply for the Label, demonstrating their commitment to supportive, parent-friendly work culture and policies that positively impact children aged 0-8 years and their parents.

In line with the ongoing trend towards parent-friendly work cultures, the impact of these policies and practices across applicant organisations in the third cycle has grown to include 163,000 employees, benefiting parents, children, and the broader community across the UAE. Cycle 3 applications have recorded a 57 percent increase in the number of benefiting parents, a 25 percent increase in the number of young children (under 8 years old), and a 51 percent increas
e in the number of children of determination benefiting from a parent-supportive culture at their parents’ workplaces.

Building on the success of the second cycle, which attracted applications from different industries, the programme has broadened its outreach to new sectors. It received the highest number of applications from professional services organisations, followed by the education sector, with nurseries leading in this field, while energy and utilities, as well as healthcare and pharma industries, ranked third.

All applications will undergo a rigorous assessment based on 19 criteria across five categories, including parental leave, flexible work, family care, family wellbeing, and culture. An independent panel of expert judges from across the UAE will ensure a fair, objective, and anonymous assessment of all applications. Organisations will either earn the Level 1 classification (PFL) for exceeding local leading parent-friendly policies and practices or Level 2 (PFL+) for meeting or exceeding global
standards.

Source: Emirates News Agency