Accenture and Grant Thornton lauded for family-inclusive culture

Now into its third year, the Family Friendly Workplaces diversity initiative established by Parents at Work and Unicef Australia has once again given its seal of approval to Grant Thornton and Accenture.

The Australian branches of global professional services firms Grant Thornton and Accenture have been confirmed as family-friendly organisations after receiving their ‘Family Inclusive Workplace’ certifications for the third year running.

The ticks are issued by Family Friendly Workplaces, which was established by Parents at Work and Unicef Australia to promote a more balanced approach to professional employment.

To be considered, not only do businesses need to meet the organisation’s National Work + Family Standards benchmarks in areas such as flexible working, parental leave, leadership culture, and family care and well-being, but are also required to review and evaluate the effectiveness of their policies and demonstrate ongoing achievements, including through personal stories from employees who have benefited from the various arrangements.

Grant Thornton provides a case in point. While the professional services firm has received accreditation in each year since the program’s inception, it continues to seek improvement in its support of its employees and their families, including through a 9-day working fortnight trial last year. The firm is also noted for having previously pioneered an industry-leading policy which allowed all team members in any role to work flexibly.

“We prioritise diversity and inclusion, and his award reflects our genuine concern for our people and shows how dedicated we are to offering flexible work options and creating an environment where everyone’s needs are considered,” stated Grant Thornton CEO Greg Keith. “We and our people are always ready to listen to each other and learn how to build a culture where balancing family and work responsibilities is encouraged.”

Another professional services firm to have received certification for the third consecutive year is Accenture, which has an Australia and New Zealand headcount of around 6,500 staff. A number of those spoke about their positive experiences in taking advantage of the firm’s range of family-friendly employment policies, including in terms of gender neutral parental leave, support for carers, part-time working, and time given for assisted reproductive treatments.

“Family is one of the most important parts of our lives and it’s critical we remain focused on providing our people with the care, compassion and understanding they need to manage the complexities of family life,” stated Accenture’s A/NZ HR lead Claire McCaffery. “Being certified demonstrates our commitment to making the organisation a place that is welcoming, accepting and supportive of families in all their shapes and forms.”