Hot on the heels of the 'family-friendly budget' comes an incentive for companies to help their staff balance work and home lives. The reward is the chance to be recognised as the Parents at Work/Lloyds TSB Employer of the Year 2001.

The competition is open to any company based in the UK which can demonstrate they:

• Understand work-life balance is not just about employee perks, but also about business or organisational success
  
• Offer a range of flexible working practices and employee benefits appropriate to the budget and size of the organisation
  
• Know that part time does not mean half-hearted.
  
• Encourage employees to enjoy their full holiday entitlement, because refreshed employees give more to the job

The awards, which are sponsored by the Department for Education and Employment, are open to public, private and voluntary organisations who will be judged in three categories - small employer (up to 50 employees), medium employer (51 –250 employees) and large employer (251 employees and over). A total of 33 national and regional awards will be made, with the finalists going forward to the judging for the overall UK winner. Previous winners of the Employer of the Year Award include Kings College Hospital NHS Trust, The Littlewoods Organisation and Oxfordshire County Council.

Sarah Jackson, Chief Executive of Parents at Work, the charity behind the awards, said: "So many employers have so much to be proud of and the Awards are a chance to celebrate success across the UK. Past winners had as few as 30 and as many 27,000 employees - size is no barrier, it is the commitment to work-life balance for all that counts".

Sally Evans, Acting Head of Equal Opportunities, Lloyds TSB said, "Work-life balance continues to be key to the success of businesses. More and more companies are recognising the importance of individual employees being able to balance their work with the rest of their lives."

Application forms for the competition and further information is available by ringing Claire Green at Parents at Work on 0207 628 3565, or by visiting the website. All entries must be received by May 10. The UK Employer of the Year will be announced on 28 November.