30th March, 2022 – As part of the 2022 Budget, the Federal Treasurer announced support for Family Friendly Workplaces committing $1.4 million over three years to UNICEF Australia and Parents At Work to support 500 workplaces to meet National Work & Family Standards, create a Family Friendly Workplace culture and be certified as a Family Inclusive Workplace™.

Family Friendly Workplaces was launched in May 2021 by UNICEF Australia and Parents At Work, with the financial support of Industry partners, to support workplaces adopt minimum policy and practice standards enabling employees greater access to flexibility and family leave provisions – considered vital to respond to the pressures felt by families due to the pandemic.

“Family Friendly Workplaces aim to alleviate pressures on families; remove barriers to female workforce participation; improve family wellbeing as well as equal opportunity through shared care. As a result, workplaces enjoy increased productivity and children receive the care they need to thrive.” Tony Stuart, CEO, UNICEF Australia.

This funding will go a long way in helping educate and support workplaces embrace being ‘family friendly’ and eases the tension employees feel trying to bridge the work and family divide so they can thrive at home and at work. Importantly, it acknowledges that all employees have family and caregiving responsibilities in some form or another, therefore, everyone benefits from having a family inclusive workplace culture.

“On behalf of all working carers I’d like to extend a huge thank you to our founding and supporting organisations that have backed this initiative from the start,” Emma Walsh, Founder, Family Friendly Workplaces.

Read the press release from UNICEF Australia here.