Nominees were identified by their peers, giving strong credibility to the pool from which the final list was chosen. In addition, the longstanding and in-depth knowledge and expertise of Working Families contributed to the longlist.

Nominations for the list were sought from:

• Working Families employer members
• Past finalists and winners of the Working Families Employer of the Year Awards (1990-2007)
• Working Families Pioneers (individuals recognised for their contribution to the work-life agenda)
• Leading academics, journalists and public policy makers

All nominees were contacted by Working Families and asked to submit a short statement in support of their nomination. A longlist of nominees was interviewed by telephone and a final shortlist was drawn up for the judging panel.

An eminent panel of judges met in mid May 2009 to select the inaugural Top Employers for working families list. The judges drew on their experience in the work-life field and their specialist knowledge of diversity, employment and family life over the past thirty years.

What were the judges looking for? Judges were looking for the UK organisations whose innovative employment practice or initiatives have changed the landscape for working parents and carers. Judges were looking for leadership in one or more of the following areas: flexible working; childcare provision; maternity and/or paternity policy; eldercare policy.

The number and calibre of nominations has clearly demonstrated the significance of the list and the importance of family-friendly employment policies. A place on the list has been awarded to employers whose innovation and farsighted practice have brought them business success and created the flexible and engaging workplaces which working parents and carers need.

28th May 2009 - Publication of the first Top Employers for working families list

The Top Employers for working families list is published during National Family Week (25th - 31st May 2009). The list celebrates the best of the best employers over the past thirty years, and is published as an A-Z list, not a ranking.