PRESS RELEASE
22 June 2007
In today’s challenging business environment, utilisation of the Human Capital of an organisation is a precondition for success. Today, more than ever, we need to focus on the ways in which women can contribute in dealing with challenges faced by businesses.
2007 was declared as the European year of Equal opportunities for everyone. The Cyprus Hotel Association together with the Larnaca Development Agency, the Pan Cyprian Volunteerism Coordinative Council, the University of Cyprus and the Association of Countryside Women of Larnaca have 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.
It is an honour for us in PwC to receive the “First Business Award for Women Employment in Cyprus”. This creates a new commitment for the establishment of higher goals.
In the recent survey that we conducted within our organisation, regarding the flexible hours scheme for working mothers with children under 18 years old, we have obtained the following comments:
- 89% of working mothers stated that the flexible hours scheme enabled them to achieve a better balance between family and professional obligations.
- 85% considers that it has helped female colleagues to stay with the organisation.
- 84% believes that flexible hours attract more women in the organisation.
- 82% believes 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, state that the scheme is very positive, are satisfied with it and are suggesting to extend the scheme to all members of the organisation.
PricewaterhouseCoopers believe that professionalism, continuous education, equal rights between men and women as well as equal allocation of responsibilities are the basis for the development of the human capital. In this way, modern organisations create the conditions for maximising satisfaction and performance of employees, benefiting as such the economy of our country.
