Award to recognise employers of women in SET

A new award is aimed at science, engineering and technology sector employers who understand and are actively addressing issues faced by women working in the sector.

The Employer of the Year Awards have been promoting and rewarding best work-life balance practice since 1990 and this year for the first time will include a category for science, engineering and technology (SET) sector employers.

The new category, the UKRC Women in SET Award, is sponsored by the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET (UKRC), and is aimed at SET employers who understand and are actively addressing issues faced by women working in the sector.

To be in with a chance of winning the Women in SET Award entrants will need to show that they are helping female employees progress and achieve a good work-life balance.

This might be through flexible working, mentoring schemes, women's networks or schemes to support women returning to work after a career break.

Karen Sadler, UKRC Employers Awards Co-ordinator, comments: "Women in SET can face barriers to progression".

"Flexible and part-time working opportunities, for example, are still not as widely available in SET as they could be".

"This can pose a problem, especially for employees with family or caring responsibilities".

"It's hugely important therefore that forward thinking employers who are striving to retain and progress women are celebrated and recognised".

"This award will do just that".

Government research has found flexible working to be an important factor in attracting and retaining women in SET (who currently account for just 18.7% of employees in the sector).

As well as aiding retention increased flexibility can also lead to a reduction in absenteeism and stress and boost productivity and moral amongst both men and women.

The UKRC Women in SET Award is a category in the Employer of the Year Awards 2005, organised by the charity Working Families.

Companies can enter by registering at www.workingfamilies.org.uk.

The closing date for registration is 29th July 2005.

The award is open to science, engineering, technology and built environment employers in industry and academia.

Entrants will also benefit from a free UKRC consultation geared at further enhancing their approach to equality, diversity and gender in the workplace.

The winner will be announced at a high profile gala luncheon and awards ceremony in London on Wednesday 7th December 2005.

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