Being family-friendly without hurting the bottom line

Join the Institute of Directors for ‘Being Family-Friendly Without Hurting the Bottom Line’ – a practical, evidence-based session designed to help SMEs support working families while growing sustainably.

Our first keynote, Jane van Zyl, CEO of Working Families, explores what “family-friendly” really means today, far beyond maternity leave. She will outline low-cost or no-cost policies that strengthen retention, reduce recruitment spend, and deliver clear commercial benefits for employers of all sizes.

Our second keynote, from Mentorhood co-founders Alice Vincenti and Denise Heavey, examines the critical—but often overlooked—return-to-work period. They unpack the confidence dip many parents experience, the identity shift that employers rarely see, and the role managers play in making or breaking retention. Mentorhood will share practical frameworks to support parents’ wellbeing, rebuild professional identity, and create genuinely family-friendly cultures.

The event concludes with a panel of industry leaders discussing real-world applications, challenges, and solutions for Jersey businesses.

Whether you’re an SME owner, HR professional, or leader building a more inclusive and high-performing organisation, this session offers clear, actionable steps to support families and strengthen your workforce.