CUHK
News Centre

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has received three awards in the 2015/16 Family-Friendly Employers Scheme organised by the Home Affairs Bureau and the Family Council. They are “Distinguished Family-Friendly Employers 2015/16”, “Family-Friendly Employers 2015/16” and “Award for Breastfeeding Support 2015/16”.

Of the three awards won, “Distinguished Family-Friendly Employers 2015/16” in the ‘Organisation’ category recognizes the University’s impressive practice in the implementation of family-friendly employment policies and provisions and in the promotion of family core values.

This is the first time CUHK has participated in the Family-Friendly Employers Scheme. The Director of Personnel, Ms. Corinna Lee received the awards on behalf of the University at the presentation ceremony yesterday (25 October).  She said, “CUHK is honoured to be recognised as a ‘Distinguished Family-Friendly Employer’. This reflects the University’s determination to provide a supportive environment and care for our employees and their families.  The joint effort of senior management and departments will continue in the future in order to provide a family-friendly workplace for our staff.” 

Both personnel policies and staff benefits show CUHK’s emphasis on and care for staff members and their families. In its personnel policies, CUHK established the ‘Committee on Positive Workplace and Staff Development’ in 2013 and the ‘Task Force on Women and Family-Friendly Policies’ in 2014 to promote a positive and family-friendly workplace in the University.  With the joint efforts from various departments and offices, the University organised a variety of activities and events to cultivate a harmonious and productive working environment, promoting the core values of positive communication, teamwork relationship and mutual care and respect.  Moreover, CUHK has implemented family-friendly employment practices to meet the needs of staff, including lactation breaks and departmental lactating space as well as four central nursing rooms to provide a comfortable and hygienic space for lactating staff.  Through different workshops and surveys, the University actively explores ways such as gatherings and networking to build up a supportive environment which enables staff to balance the responsibilities of their work and families. 

The University provides medical protection to staff and their family members and implements family friendly leave on top of that required under the law, such as adoption leave, bereavement leave and special leave on a no-pay basis to meet the family needs of staff.  Care is also extended beyond the work place, like providing Cantonese courses to new recruits and their families coming from overseas, and counselling support and financial assistance to the families of deceased staff and those invalided out of service.  An Employee Assistance Programme is also available to staff to provide 24-hour professional counselling and consultation on various areas including family and work/life issues. 

About the Family-Friendly Employers Scheme

Launched by the Home Affairs Bureau and the Family Council in 2011, the Family-Friendly Employers Scheme, held biennially, aims to raise awareness among  employers of the importance of family core values. It encourages employers to implement family-friendly employment policies and practices and recognise good practices so to foster a family-friendly culture and environment in the community.