The Movers and Shakers: Working Dads Employer Awards 2022 - Equal Parental Leave Policy

The best company to work for if you’re a dad is Aviva.

The company won the ‘Best for Dads’ award at last night’s Top Employer Awards.

The awards, organised by workingdads.co.uk sister site workingmums.co.uk, recognise best practice and innovation in supporting parents in the workplace.

The insurance and savings firm was recognised for the astonishing results of its decision to equalise parental leave. Men are entitled to up to six months off at full pay. It’s no coincidence that around 70% of men at the company take six months off after they become a dad.

95% of men at Aviva take more than the statutory two weeks of paternity leave. In the year before bosses boosted the paternity leave offer men took an average of two weeks off in paternity leave. In the year after the policy was introduced that jumped to an average of 22 weeks.

Job share

All jobs at Aviva are advertised with the option of flexibility or job share.

The company also boasts a high profile job share in Sam White and Will McDonald who split the Group Public Policy and Sustainability Director role.

The judging panel said that Aviva had been a global leader in the field of equalising parental leave and had the figures to prove that its policies were effective. The policy meant that employees could see Aviva’s commitment to them outside as well as inside the workplace. They commended the firm as an inspiring example for others.

Anthony Fitzpatrick, policy lead at Aviva said, “We’re really proud  Aviva has been recognised at the workingmums.co.uk awards as a great place for Dads to work.

“Supporting fathers in the workplace makes good business sense and it’s the right thing to do for both parents. When we launched our equal parental leave two years ago, we were determined it would be more than just a policy. We want our people to feel encouraged and supported to take parental leave. We’ve seen men at Aviva take an average of 22 weeks leave. This is great, but we need to keep sharing experiences and role modelling how it can work, not just at Aviva, but within other organisations too.”