The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority has announced that organizations across the UAE have 60 days left to apply for the fourth cycle of the Parent-friendly Label programme.
Applications remain open until 31 July 2026, for organizations from the semi-governmental, private and third sectors.
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The Volunteer Workplace Award recognizes organizations that create supportive and inclusive work environments for parents and families.
Officials said the program encourages workplaces to adopt family-friendly policies that improve employee well-being while supporting productivity and long-term growth.
The fourth cycle marks a major step for the program, as government units are involved for the first time through a collaboration with the Ministry of Family.
The expansion comes during the UAE Year of the Family 2026 and aims to strengthen the family-focused workplace culture across the country.
The program also allows organizations that have received the label in previous years to reapply or upgrade to the Parent Friendly + Label category by improving their workplace policies and practices.
The parent-friendly label recognizes organizations that support parents of young children through flexible working arrangements, parental leave policies and family wellbeing initiatives.
The program assesses organizations across five key areas, including parental leave, flexible working arrangements, family care, family wellbeing and workplace culture and innovation.
According to the authority, the framework was developed using international standards and studies focused on family-friendly workplaces.
Since launching in 2021, the program has positively impacted more than one million employees worldwide, including over 311,000 employees across 25 sectors in the UAE.
The authority also highlighted findings from its second impact report, which showed that 71 per cent of working parents reported improved day-to-day productivity due to supportive workplace environments.
Officials said parent-friendly policies continue to play an important role in improving employee retention, well-being and work-life balance.
The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority encouraged organizations across the UAE to submit their applications before the July deadline and join the growing number of workplaces promoting family-friendly environments.
Applications can be submitted through the official website of the program.
