AN IT consultancy firm in Worcester has been recognised for its family values by reaching the finals of a national award.

Open Logic Solutions Ltd, based in Perry Wood Walk, is in the latter stages of the national NSPCC Family Friendly Employer Of The Year award.

The firm's policies include staff being able to work from home or part-time as well as emergency leave, career breaks and sabbaticals.

Charlie Monkcom, the NSPCC's employment policy adviser, said: "Our award is a chance for employers to highlight how they make it easier for employees to spend time at home and demonstrate the benefits to their business.

"Open Logic Solutions and our other finalists were chosen because their employment policies help staff who are parents to juggle work responsibilities with caring for their children. Providing flexible work options not only takes the pressure off families, it makes good business sense too.

"Parents working long and inflexible hours can have a negative impact on children's development.

"Campaigning for parents to have more support in the workplace, to help reduce the strain on families, is also an important element of the NSPCC's Full Stop Campaign."

Craig Smith, Open Logic Solutions Ltd's managing director, said: "We are delighted to be finalists for this year's Family Friendly Award.

"We try to ensure that parents get as much time with their children as possible within the confines of their job. Our innovative family friendly work policies, such as providing staff with mobile phones and laptops so they can work from home, have been successful in achieving this as well as helping us to retain talented people when they become parents."

The award is a category in the Employer Of The Year Awards 2005, organised by the charity Working Families.

There are four other finalists up against Open Logic Solutions. The winner will be revealed at a London ceremony on Wednesday December, 7.