The list, compiled annually by the charity Working Families, is based on an assessment of the UK’s top family-friendly employers against a benchmark which scores organisations on their flexible, family-friendly policies and practices. The process reviews the policies firms have in place to support working parents and carers and assesses the way in which they are integrated into organisational strategy and culture.
DACB stands out in the legal sector for its innovative approach to working, known as Flex Forward. Launched in 2021, Flex Forward offers three types of dynamic, location-based working – office-focused, hybrid, and fully flex – to provide each colleague with maximum flexibility for their role. Flex Forward includes a more relaxed approach to working hours to support colleagues with their commitments outside of work, including caring and parental responsibilities.
In addition to Flex Forward, DACB has continued its award-winning Reconnect programme, a first-of-its-kind initiative which supports legal professionals considering a return to the profession following an extended career break, for instance to have a family or provide care. Initially, launched in 2020, Reconnect won the ‘Most Innovative HR Initiative’ award at the People in Law Awards in 2021 and was highly commended in The Lawyer Awards in the ‘Best Talent and Inclusion Initiative’ category in the same year.
David Pollitt, DACB’s Managing Partner, said, “We are committed to supporting our colleagues and enabling them to find the right balance and create a life that works for them. We aim to be the place where talented people want to work; to do this, we provide flexibility, inclusive policies and a supportive culture that together create an environment where all our colleagues can thrive.’’
Working Families is the UK’s national work-life balance charity helping working parents and carers — and their employers — find a better balance between responsibilities at home and responsibilities in the workplace.
