Both private and public sector achievements in flexible working were highlighted at yesterday’s Working Families Top Employers Awards.

Utility company Centrica scooped the best for flexible working award for its work in embedding flexibility across the business. Over 60% of its employees have some form of flexible working arrangement in place.

Also singled out were the London School of Economics & Political Science which won the best for all stages of fatherhood award and Barclays for its support at all stages of motherhood.

American Express took the best for engagement award and the Scottish Government won an award for innovation following its pledge to ensure that location is not a barrier to achievement in the organisation.

Islington Council was praised for its work on supporting carers and small businesses Brand Learning and CiC Employee Assistance jointly won the small family friendly employer accolade.

Sarah Jackson OBE, chief executive of Working Families, said: “The judging panel was greatly impressed by the inspiring policies and practices which are in place to support working parents, carers and flexible workers. As we approach a new era with the extension of the right to request flexible working to all employees, it’s good to see that many employers are already reaping the benefits of offering family friendly and flexible workplaces.”

In her keynote address at the event Carers UK vice president Caroline Waters called for a rethink of the way work is conducted given the “perfect storm” of globalisation, changing consumer demands, technological advancements and shifting demographics.

She said there should be an end to “work intensification and extreme jobs”, complex structures that treat people as resources, unnecessary travel and the forced segregation of work and life.

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