Invest in Spain

INTERES Invest in Spain, the Government Agency for the Promotion and Attraction of Foreign Investment, was awarded the Certificate of a Family Friendly Company (efr) on the 26th of May by the +family Foundation. INTERES therefore became the first state company to be awarded this distinction, along with more than 62 companies from around the country.

In order to receive the efr certification, INTERES has undergone a thorough and complete external audit carried out by an accredited certification organization. Analyses were made of employee perceptions and measures adopted by INTERES in areas reconciling the family and working lives of its personnel.

Along these lines, INTERES has set in motion a Personal and Working Life Reconciliation Plan, which outlines specific measures concerning flexibility in working methods and timetables, compatibility of work and maternity/paternity periods, social security benefits and increases in paid absences.

A total of 62 companies of different sizes and from a wide range of sectors received the Family Friendly Company Certification (EfR) alongside the Government Agency. The Secretary of State for Social Policies, Amparo Valcarce, presided the award ceremony for the certificates, which are now held by a total of 93 companies around Spain, and which have benefited around 150,000 families.

During her presentation, the Secretary of State stressed the “example” given by the companies that have been awarded the certification; “because they have demonstrated the ability to be flexible, family friendly, competitive and profitable at the same time ".

The Secretary of State explained that the Government intended to reinforce its commitment “to families and to conciliation and equality” in the years to come with other initiatives such as the extension of nursery school provision for children under the age of three and the extension of paternity leave.

The following companies were among those that received the award: Accor Services, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya, Argentaria, Caja Burgos, Grupo Norte, Grupo Santander, Grupo Siro, Celer Soluciones, Compañía Logística de Hidrocarburos (CLH), Indra Sistemas, Leche Pascual, Pelayo, Roche Farma, Sodexho Pass España, Workcilia and Zurich.