PwC gets business award for women employment

To commemorate 2007 as the European year of Equal opportunities for everyone, the Cyprus Hotel Association together with the Larnaca Development Agency, the Cyprus Volunteers Coordinative Council, the University of Cyprus and the Rural Association of Women of Larnaca organised the National Forum for Women Employment in Cyprus and the Business Award competition, as part of the wider EQUAL project for the promotion of employment and social participation.

PricewaterhouseCoopers Cyprus received the “First Business Award for Women Employment” which creates a new commitment by the island’s largest audit and accounting firm to set higher goals.

A recent in-house survey conducted by PwC regarding the flexible hours scheme for working mothers with children under 18 years old, the following conclusions were reported:

— 89% of working mothers stated that the flexible hours scheme enabled them to achieve a better balance between family and professional obligations.

— 85% considered that it has helped female colleagues to stay with the company.

— 84% believed that flexible hours attract more women to the company.

— 82% stated that their department does not face difficulties during their absence throughout the normal working hours.

Satisfaction regarding the PwC policy on flexible working hours is expressed by 90% of the working mothers.

In general, the majority of the respondents said that the scheme is very positive, that they are satisfied with it and even suggested to extend the scheme to all members of the company.