Savills Portugal has been certified as a Family Responsible Company (efr), joining the group of organisations that place the reconciliation of professional, personal, and family life at the core of their human resources policy, while promoting greater workplace flexibility.

The efr certification distinguishes companies that consistently and transparently incorporate values such as inclusion, equal opportunities, and well‑being into their daily management, translating them into concrete practices rather than isolated initiatives.

At Savills Portugal, this approach is reflected in teleworking and hybrid models, more flexible working hours, parental support programmes, continuous training initiatives, and career management policies focused on equal opportunities.

This certification reinforces the company’s commitment to a people‑centred work culture that simultaneously enhances business results and the quality of life of its teams.

Pedro Santos, Head of Talent Management at Savills Portugal, emphasises: “Creating a healthy work‑life balance is no longer an extra benefit — it has become a strategic imperative for any company focused on the future. Protecting productivity requires going beyond targets and processes to embrace ongoing, active listening to individual needs.
Each person has different rhythms, motivations, and contexts that influence their performance; when an organisation recognises and accommodates these differences, it strengthens trust, engagement, and a sense of belonging.
True balance happens when well‑being and performance move hand in hand, sustainably, creating healthier, more focused teams prepared to grow in the long term.”

Work‑family balance model on the rise
In Portugal, the efr programme currently encompasses around 50,000 employees across more than 80 companies from various sectors — from banking to healthcare, industry, agriculture, and the social economy.

Internationally, the efr certification now includes over 1,200 certified organisations, representing more than 1 million employees and more than 3 million people when considering their families.

Recognised by the United Nations and the Interreg Europe programme as a good practice in promoting work‑life balance within companies, the efr initiative continues to gain ground in several countries, bringing more balanced work models to an increasing number of organisations.