Working Families has announced its annual list of the top flexible and family-friendly employers in the UK. Organisations from across the finance, energy, education and public sector have earned their place on the charity’s list of Top Employers, demonstrating that sectors across the spectrum are seeing the value in putting people first.
Now in its sixteenth year, many have fended off competition to stay in the top for a number of years, including Pinsent Masons, the Welsh Parliament and Independent Living Fund Scotland. Newcomer Unilever also joins the ranks of Top 30 for the first time.
This year, organisations taking part in the Benchmark survey have demonstrated their commitment to leading from the front, with over half (55%) offering paid leave for carers, for an average of over a week, and 86% looking for flexibility in roles before they’re advertised, opening up possibilities for a more diverse workforce and addressing gender inequality.
This year’s Top Ten Employers for Working Families – in alphabetical order – are:
- Audit Wales
- DAC Beachcroft
- Grant Thornton
- Hill Dickinson LLP
- Imperial College London
- Independent Living Fund Scotland
- Mishcon de Reya
- NELFT
- Pinsent Masons
- Welsh Parliament
The Benchmark—which captures the experience of over 296,000 UK employees across the organisations that took part— highlights trends in flexible and family-friendly policies and practices. This year the key findings include:
- An increasing number of employers (86%) carry out a job analysis on some or all vacancies to determine the options for flexibility
- Almost all Benchmark employers (94%) actively encourage their managers to work in a flexible and family-friendly way.
- Over half (55%) of Benchmark employers go beyond the statutory minimum by enhancing carers leave, for an average of 5.3 days.
“Once again, our Benchmark employers are showing what it looks like to make the vision of family-friendly and flexible working a reality. The Top Employers are sending a powerful message that, when you’re willing to do the work, it’s possible to truly innovate for the benefit of the business. With over half recognising the needs of carers by offering paid leave, they are showing that compassion can coexist with strategic business thinking.
It’s inspiring to see how these employers are putting into action their understanding that cultural shifts start from the top, that wellbeing at work matters, and the value of transparent flexible options. These are the changes we need if we’re going to build a resilient, motivated and agile workforce that is fit for the challenges of the future.”
Employers were assessed using Working Families’ Benchmark and were scored on four key areas to build a comprehensive picture of their flexible and family-friendly policies and practices that specifically support mothers, fathers, and carers. These are:
- integration to organisational strategy and culture – which looks at culture, attitude and how far flexible and family-friendly working practices have become embedded;
- policy – which looks at the creation, development and deployment of flexible and family-friendly working policies and their take-up;
- consistent practice – which considers how well flexible and family-friendly working is supported; and
- evidence and statistics – which looks at the effects of flexible and family-friendly working on the organisation, and their ability to understand those effects.
The Top Employers for Working Families Benchmark 2025
The Top Employers for Working Families Benchmark was established by Working Families in 2010. It is UK-wide and open to all Working Families’ employer members.
The Benchmark is a way for employers to see whether they are ahead or behind the curve in the development of flexible and family friendly working, and to get tailored feedback and next steps support from Working Families. Visit our website to register interest in taking part in the 2026 Benchmark, or contact employers@workingfamilies.org.uk
Find out more about Working Families employer membership.