The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority announced the closing of the third cycle application window for the Parent-Friendly Label, with a remarkable 57% increase in the number of working parents benefiting from the program. This milestone, they said, underscore the growing commitment of organisations across the UAE to creating supportive environments for working parents.
The Parent-Friendly Label, introduced by the ECA, aims to encourage organisations to adopt parent-friendly policies that promote the well-being of both employees and their families. The initiative has seen significant growth in its third cycle, both in terms of the diversity of participating industries and the overall impact on working parents and children.
In an exclusive quote for The HR Observer, Dr. Hessa Alkaabi, Acting Executive Director of Special Projects and Partnerships at the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, emphasised the program’s broader vision:
“We remain committed to making a meaningful impact by further expanding the program’s reach, inspiring more organisations to implement comprehensive parent-friendly policies that meet both local and global standards. Our vision is a future where every workplace in the UAE supports the well-being of working parents and young children, contributing to a healthier, more productive society for generations to come.”
The third cycle of the Parent-Friendly Label has also seen an increase in participation across various sectors which could be an indicator for putting the UAE as a model for parent-friendly work environments.
“As we conclude the third cycle, we are witnessing remarkable progress in building supportive environments for working parents across the UAE,” said Sana Mohamed Suhail, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority to The HR Observer.
The professional services and education industries have led the charge, ECA said. “This cycle has seen a significant increase in the diversity in the industries represented, with the professional services and education industry leading the way. Most importantly, the impact of the program has grown substantially, reaching a larger number of employees and benefiting more parents, children, and Children of Determination,” Suhail added.
ECA said that all applications will undergo a rigorous assessment based on 19 criteria across five categories, such as parental leave, flexible work, family care, family wellbeing and culture. An independent panel of expert judges from across the UAE will ensure fair, objective, and anonymous assessment of all applications.
“The panel will review all applications to select the best applications, where organizations 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,” ECA said in a statement.