FAQs
You may find an answer to your question here. If not, feel free to contact us.
General
What is the Parent-friendly Label?
The Parent-friendly Label is a voluntary UAE-wide workplace award program that provides a range of criteria that organizations in the private sector, semi-government and third sector can adopt in order to be recognized by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority as a parent-friendly workplace and awarded with a Parent-friendly Label.
What is a parent-friendly workplace?
Parent-friendly workplaces offer flexibility for working parents, understand the needs of families, welcome back new mothers and fathers actively, go above and beyond the UAE Labor Law requirements for maternity leave, paternity leave and other policies. These are some just examples of what makes a workplace parent-friendly.
What makes the Parent-friendly Label program unique?
There are a number of things which make the PFL program unique. First of all, it is the first of its kind in the region. Secondly, the PFL program’s framework was originally created in collaboration with organizations through the sharing of their insights, inspirations and challenges. Another unique point is that the program is at no direct cost to the applicant to apply and, regardless of the outcome, each applicant will receive a free, customized Feedback Report which outlines areas of strength, improvement and recommendations for its parent-friendly journey.
Why are you focusing on workplaces and why is earning the Label important?
By encouraging parent-friendly workplaces, we aim to establish a work culture, policies, and practices that are compassionate towards working parents of young children ages 0-8. The Label provides an incentive and benefits to organizations to improve their workplaces. This, in turn, will result in a broad social, business and economic impact for the UAE’s community, families, and children.
What is the difference between PFL and PFL+?
Organizations can be awarded PFL or PFL+. Specific targets have been defined for each level. Workplaces in the UAE that earn the PFL exceed local requirements and standards while those workplaces in the UAE that earn PFL+ meet or exceed global leading policies and practices.
Why does the Label criteria focus on parents of children 0-8 specifically?
Based on the latest scientific research, this is the most influential period in a child’s life, with the brain’s internal structure reaching 90% of its development by the age of 5 years.
Who has earned the Parent-friendly Label so far and why?
The Criteria
What are the criteria categories?
Organizations are assessed against five categories: Parental Leave, Flexible Work, Family Care, Family Well-being, and Culture.
Refer to the Applicant Handbook to understand more about the 19 criteria within the five categories.
Refer to the Applicant Handbook to understand more about the 19 criteria within the five categories.
What are the Label criteria based on?
The criteria and targets were thoroughly developed in 2020 and validated through a pilot and a number of key activities:
- Research and data were gathered from leading global institutions
such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), International Labor Organization (ILO), among others. - A thorough review of the criteria and targets was conducted by UNICEF and subsequently given a statement of support.
- A review of nine existing award programs in family-friendliness globally was conducted.
- A study of global leading practices from 16 countries, such as the Nordics, as well as global leading organizations was carried out.
- We collaborated with private sector companies and worked closely with global experts in the field to cross-check against the UAE context to ensure market needs and conditions were accounted for.
Our organization operates in the Education Sector and flexible working is not applicable to us as our teachers/faculty need to work in-person in the classroom. Can we still apply?
Yes! We encourage organizations operating in the Education Sector to apply as the criteria has taken into account the special nature of your sector. We took the time to understand your sector’s needs and challenges through a series of focus groups with the UAE's education regulators, operators (covering 60+ schools), several nurseries and higher education institutions.
Based on this, the criteria was amended in two ways:
Based on this, the criteria was amended in two ways:
- A flexible work policy is Optional.
- Offering childcare is Mandatory.
I don’t meet all the criteria, should I still apply?
By all means, yes! Becoming a parent-friendly workplace is a journey, and the criteria is meant to inspire you to take action within your organization. Working to improve your policies to better support working parents is why we created this program. Engage your organization’s leadership, your colleagues and your employees to make the necessary changes to improve. Regardless of the outcome of your application, you will receive a Feedback Report that highlights your areas of strength, areas for improvement and includes a set of recommendations.
Refer to the Applicant Handbook to understand more about the criteria.
Refer to the Applicant Handbook to understand more about the criteria.
Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply to earn the Parent-friendly Label?
Any organization in the private sector, semi-government sector, or third sector with a valid trade license issued in the United Arab Emirates is eligible to apply. Take this 1-minute eligibility test to find out if you’re eligible now!
Why are government entities not eligible to apply for the Parent-friendly Label?
When developing the Parent-friendly Label, we based it on research and local and global benchmarking of several government, semi-government and private organizations. We found that the government sector in the UAE already offers several benefits to working parents of young children. Examples of this include flexible start and end times as well as paid maternity and paternity leave. However, in the semi-government and private sector, we found several differences in benefits offered. Therefore, one of our objectives through this program is to bridge the gap between what is offered to working parents in all sectors and cultivate a workplace culture that supports them.
However, we encourage local and federal government entities to be inspired by the criteria to enhance their organization's policies and practices, where applicable.
However, we encourage local and federal government entities to be inspired by the criteria to enhance their organization's policies and practices, where applicable.
Application Form
What is the application process?
The application process consists of 2 mandatory parts. The first part is the online Application Form, to be completed by the applicant. While the second part consists of the Parent-friendly Experience Survey, to be completed by the employees of the applicant. Both parts need to be submitted for an application to be considered complete.
Do I have to pay to apply?
No, submitting an application to earn the Parent-friendly Label is free of charge.
I have a question about the application form. Whom should I contact?
Refer to Contact Us for contact details.
I would like to modify/add content to the Application Form, but it has already been submitted. What can I do?
No problem. Please email us at pfl@eca.gov.ae and we will amend your application on your behalf.
Is the submission and data submitted as part of the application process confidential?
Yes, all responses and information submitted as part of your application process will remain confidential, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing. This includes all conversations, correspondence and meetings with the PFL Team and the Assessors.
Applying is a confidential process and your organization’s name will not be shared publicly if you are not successful.
Applying is a confidential process and your organization’s name will not be shared publicly if you are not successful.
How do I create an account for my application?
When you start your application, you will be prompted for your work e-mail address and a One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to that e-mail address. Each time you come back to your application and input the same e-mail address, you will be sent a new OTP to proceed with your application.
Can I save my progress on the application form and re-visit it later?
Yes! All of your responses are automatically saved as you fill out your application.
Our organization has already earned the Parent-friendly Label. How can we apply to earn the PFL+?
We believe that parent-friendliness is a journey and that earning the PFL is just the first step. In recognition of this, we defined two levels (PFL and PFL+). We encourage all organizations to aspire towards earning PFL+ and taking tangible steps towards achieving its criteria.
To begin your journey from PFL towards PFL+, we will first need to understand how your organization’s parent-friendly policies and practices have been enhanced, or changed, since you last applied, as well as provide us with the supporting evidence to be assessed. Additionally, as a mandatory component of your application, a Parent-friendly Experience Survey will also need to be circulated to your employees to assess against your enhanced or new policies and practices, to understand its impact on employee perception, culture and level of satisfaction.
We will support you to get there!
To begin your journey from PFL towards PFL+, we will first need to understand how your organization’s parent-friendly policies and practices have been enhanced, or changed, since you last applied, as well as provide us with the supporting evidence to be assessed. Additionally, as a mandatory component of your application, a Parent-friendly Experience Survey will also need to be circulated to your employees to assess against your enhanced or new policies and practices, to understand its impact on employee perception, culture and level of satisfaction.
We will support you to get there!
What happens if my application is not successful?
The Assessors will provide you with a Feedback Report and you will be invited to attend a Feedback Session. The PFL Team will support you with re-applying during the next application cycle, if you choose to do so. Applying is a confidential process and your organization’s name will not be shared publicly if you are not successful.
Parent-friendly Experience Survey
Why is it mandatory for the organization's employees to fill in a Parent-friendly Experience Survey?
The Parent-friendly Experience Survey is an anonymous survey which you will be asked to circulate to a required sample size of your employees. Once you have filled out the first section of the online Application Form, your organization’s sample size will be shared with you via e-mail. This sample size will help us understand the experience of your employees and assist us with assessing your application.
In order to accurately assess your existing parent-friendly policies and practices, it is key for the assessors to understand how the perception, culture and level satisfaction of employees looks like against your policies. This is a key component of your application as it provides a deeper insight into how your organization is performing in parent-friendliness.
In order to accurately assess your existing parent-friendly policies and practices, it is key for the assessors to understand how the perception, culture and level satisfaction of employees looks like against your policies. This is a key component of your application as it provides a deeper insight into how your organization is performing in parent-friendliness.
How do I encourage our organization’s employees to respond to the survey?
Assessment and Awarding
When will the application window open for Cycle 3 and what date will submissions close?
This will be announced in 2024 so stay tuned by following our social channels @pfl_uae.
Will the assessors visit our organization?
Assessors will not normally visit an organization unless a site visit is required. After you submit your application, we may request a clarification session, which will be held virtually.
How are the Label earners determined?
An evaluation will be conducted to assess whether applicants have met the required criteria or not. This is done by reviewing the submitted evidence, reviewing the information submitted during the clarification session, reviewing your Application Form, and the results of the Parent-friendly Experience Survey. We encourage you to provide as much supporting evidence as part of your Application Form, as it may provide more clarity and ‘bring to life’ your application.
Who will be assessing my application?
All applications are assessed by an independent third party to ensure objectivity and maintain integrity. Following this assessment, a Judging Panel, made up of senior leaders from institutions across the UAE and representing different Emirates, will conduct their review and provide their recommendations on the final list of successful applicants.
When will the Label earners be publicly announced?
Stay tuned for the exact date.
Will my organization be notified that our application is successful ahead of the public announcement?
Yes, we will notify you directly of the result of your application.
How will the Label earners be announced?
Details will be provided closer to the time.
Benefits
How long is the Label granted to an organization?
Once an organization earns the Label, it is valid for two years. After one year, there will be a check-in meeting between the assessors and the organization to discuss any changes to your parent-friendly policies, collect feedback on your experience with the program, understand how you are measuring the success and impact of your policies, as well as to understand what policy changes and enhancements have been made as you continue on your parent-friendly journey with us.
What benefits does my organization get if we are awarded the Parent-friendly Label?
All applicants, regardless of the outcome, receive a customized Feedback Report that includes the outcome of your application, key highlights, areas of strength, areas of opportunity, assessor recommendations and the unique innovative practices and initiatives that you implement which stood out to the assessors.
Upon earning the Parent-friendly Label, your organization will receive a Welcome Pack, which includes a PFL plaque for display in your offices, a congratulatory letter from Leadership acknowledging the achievement, as well as additional assets for use such as brand guidelines and collaterals which your organization may produce to be able to share pride in earning the Label with their employees.
Since Label earners will become part of a like-minded community of other Label earners, engagement across socials is highly encouraged. We want to hear all your latest news and keep you informed of ours. As such, the Pack will also provide social guidelines and recommendations of posts (captions & assets) to maintain the momentum of progress and keep the parent-friendly conversations going!
Another benefit of earning the Label is that your organization becomes a member of PFL Connect. PFL Connect brings together organizations, who have earned the Parent-friendly Label, to network, share success stories and get inspired through a series of virtual and in-person sessions. It also exposes organizations to experts and industry leaders.
Upon earning the Parent-friendly Label, your organization will receive a Welcome Pack, which includes a PFL plaque for display in your offices, a congratulatory letter from Leadership acknowledging the achievement, as well as additional assets for use such as brand guidelines and collaterals which your organization may produce to be able to share pride in earning the Label with their employees.
Since Label earners will become part of a like-minded community of other Label earners, engagement across socials is highly encouraged. We want to hear all your latest news and keep you informed of ours. As such, the Pack will also provide social guidelines and recommendations of posts (captions & assets) to maintain the momentum of progress and keep the parent-friendly conversations going!
Another benefit of earning the Label is that your organization becomes a member of PFL Connect. PFL Connect brings together organizations, who have earned the Parent-friendly Label, to network, share success stories and get inspired through a series of virtual and in-person sessions. It also exposes organizations to experts and industry leaders.
We are a multi-national corporation. If we earn the Parent-friendly Label for our UAE office, will we be able to apply it to our other offices such as in Dubai, Saudi Arabia or London?
If you were to earn the Parent-friendly Label, you will be able to apply it to your offices inside the United Arab Emirates ONLY and recipients will be requested that they highlight this in their communications.
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Eligibility test
Congratulations! You are eligible!
You are eligible to apply for the Parent-friendly Label or the Parent-friendly Plus Label.
Thank you for your interest in applying for the Parent-friendly Label. Unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply at this time.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss your eligibility further with us.
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