Shell Crowned Most Family Friendly Company

MEDIACOM-RELEASE-SHELL-NEW-ZEALAND

Shell New Zealand Ltd (SNZ) and Shell Services International (NZ) Ltd (SSI) have been judged the most family friendly company in New Zealand after their joint entry won the EEO Trust Work & Family Awards, announced in Auckland last night.

The Award, presented to Shell New Zealand Managing Director, John Fletcher and Shell Services International (NZ) Managing Director, Anske Janssen, by the Minister of Women's Affairs Georgina Te Heu Heu, recognises companies that are helping their employees balance work and family commitments.

Mr Fletcher said Shell was delighted to receive the award in recognition of the innovative work Shell employees have put in to develop a more family-friendly work environment.

"Balancing work and personal life is one of the core values of SNZ and SSI. These values form an integral part of every employee's performance measurements, and have been embraced at all levels within the company. I think the award is testament to the fact that we are working at living that value. "

Ms Janssen says that to enable employees to get the balance right, SNZ and SSI have made paid parental leave and flexible working arrangements standard practice.

"All staff, regardless of gender, marital status or sexual orientation, can take advantage of these arrangements. We've introduced break-through equal employment policies in accordance with the Human Rights Act, which empower people to balance their working lives with their family lives. This award recognises how progressive and people-focused our policies are."

A major success of the scheme is the large number of women who are now entering the Shell workforce, traditionally a male dominated enclave, and the large number of men who are now able to participate more readily in their family lives, Ms Janssen says.

"For instance, we have one father whose partner developed complications close to the birth of their new born twins. He took four weeks paid parental leave, and then returned to work on a telecommuting basis to continue to help and support his partner."

Both SNZ and SSI are members of the EEO Employers Group, ascribing wholeheartedly to its charter, committing them to further developments in Equal Employment Opportunities.

Mr Fletcher said the Shell Group sees this as a social responsibility inherent in being the "top performer of first choice".

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