KPMG’s flexible working programme wins Opportunity Now 'City Award' for diversity and equality

The flexible working programme operated by professional services firm KPMG has won a top workplace award for gender equality, diversity and inclusion.

KPMG won the ‘City Award’ at the Opportunity Now annual awards last week.

The awards recognise UK employers which demonstrate the most commitment and innovation in creating workplaces where women can succeed.

KPMG’s winning entry focused on its flexible working programme, which offers a wide range of working options to its 10,300 UK employees.

These include shorter working weeks, homeworking, job-sharing, unpaid leave, annualised days, career breaks, additional holiday purchases and ‘glide’ time - when the start and finish times of the working day can be adjusted.

The benefits of flexible working KPMG has seen:

• Over three years, 15% of KPMG’s staff have applied to work flexibly - and 99% of applications have been approved
• 95% of women who return from maternity leave are still employed at KPMG after 12 months
• The number of flexible working applications rises annually - up by 38% in 2006.

Rachel Campbell, head of people management at KPMG, said: “Our flexible working programme helps us to operate in a competitive business environment, by helping to attract and retain the best people.

“Our own research and surveys show that the need to work flexible working patterns is becoming increasingly important, particularly to those with caring responsibilities, predominantly women. We aim to create a diverse and inclusive workplace by offering this flexibility to all our employees.”