2008 mother@work awards open for entries

(07/05/2008)

The 2008 mother@work awards are now open for entries and will culminate at a prize giving at No.11 Downing Street on June 18th.

Now in their fourth year, they are once again supported by Sarah Brown, President of PiggyBankKids and wife of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The Awards recognise and celebrate all aspects of working motherhood as well as employers who have recognised the huge importance of working mothers to the workforce.

There are five Awards categories, as follows:

Employer of the Future - This award seeks to recognise an employer who has a vision of the future and how they can best balance their employee’s needs with their own. The employers of the future will look beyond the legislation to their employee’s individual needs and listen, not dictate. Our winners will understand that nine to five is not always best and that when it helps cut costs and retain staff, flexi can be sexy!

Best People Manager - In every organisation there is one member of staff who makes a difference. They do this because they give their time and resources to really knowing and understanding their staff and making sure that there is a system in place for working mothers that works for everybody. You don’t need big budgets or a massive HR department to achieve this, just one enlightened person who realises that employees are people with varied commitments outside the workplace.

Best Mumpreneur - Many working mums are often wrongly assumed to lose their ambition, determination and drive when they return to work. The success of many of these women in setting up and running successful businesses is a wake up call to industry that experience and talent doesn’t desert you the moment you become a mother. The winner also receives a complimentary entry to the National Business Awards (normally £175).

Best Family Support - Every working mother has two things – a job and a family. While legislation and best practise can help with support from her employers, how much support she gets from her family can be very hit and miss. This award is a chance for a mother to say thanks to her family for giving her the support she needs at home – by helping with running the household for instance. Too often a mother will work more flexibly only to be landed with most of the household chores and childcare duties. We hope that our winner’s experience will help others to make lifestyle changes with their families. The winner also receives a weekend break with Luxury Family Hotels!

Most Exceptional Working Mother - Many working mothers work because they have to, not because they choose to, and many more are single mothers. It’s not easy to juggle work, life, family and your own life at the best of times but these working mums are truly inspirational. Overcoming the odds to hold it all together, we recognise their unique achievement. The winner also receives a well earned Spa Day for two at Champneys.

Entrants may enter more than one category. All shortlisted entrants will automatically be invited to the recption at Downing Street.

Related categories:  Parenting 

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