When it comes to advocating family-friendly employment policies, what’s better than showing good practice in action?

Carthy Limited is a 20-strong business consulting firm in Hong Kong, and a winner of the Outstanding SME Award for Family Status Equality in the inaugural edition of the Equal Opportunity Employer Recognition Scheme launched by the EOC this year.

In a series of press interviews, Carthy recently spoke on its policies for supporting employees who have to look after their children or older family members.These include: three-day annual “filial leave” for employees wishing to accompany older family members during their medical check-ups, or on their birthday; three-day annual parental leave for employees who need to attend Parents’ Day, take care of their children when they are ill, etc.; 15-week maternity leave (i.e. a week more than the statutory maternity leave of 14 weeks); and a designated room for breastfeeding employees to express milk at work.

Thanks to these efforts and many others, Carthy boasts a track record of success in retaining talent, with an average employee tenure of 15 years. It is a great testament of the commitment SMEs can make to building a family-friendly workplace, and the benefits it can bring to a business. 

• More about the Employer Recognition Scheme
• Read Carthy’s interview with Career Times (Chinese only)
• Read Carthy’s interview with HK01 (Chinese only)