How to approach your application
Your application is a proactive step in strengthening your corporate culture and internal practices. It is an opportunity to assess your current policies, identify strengths, and plan next steps.
Whether your organisation meets all the criteria today or is just beginning to update its policies, the certification process provides a clear roadmap for growth. Every improvement is designed for positive impact on the lives of your employees and their families.
Applicant Journey
1. Learn about the AFFW Certification
Before applying, begin by reviewing the AFFW purpose, criteria, and application process. This helps your organisation determine how the certification aligns with your priorities and who will lead the application internally.
Key resources for this include:
- The AFFW Website: Additional context, certification cycle updates, and internal communication resources
- The Applicant Handbook: Step-by-step guidance for preparing the application
- Manager Onboarding: Orientation material to help the organisation’s leadership team champion and guide the implementation of family-friendly policies and practices
2. Is my organisation eligible?
Answer the questions below to explore or download the Application Checklist to check if your organisation eligible to apply and discover your next steps!
Is your organisation legally registered in Aruba?
You cannot apply until your organisation has been legally registered in Aruba.
Is your organisation committed to prioritising family wellbeing through a continuous cycle of training and learning for all employees?
Commitment to strengthening employee learning and family wellbeing is important to apply; if you are not there yet, we encourage you to explore our resources and apply in a future cycle.
Does your organisation have the policies and practices required for certification in place?
If you’re not sure, we encourage you to download the Application Checklist below!
3. Share the Manager Onboarding
Leadership engagement is a core component of the AFFW Certification. Before submitting your application, ensure that your organisation’s managers understand the criteria and support the process.
- Members of the leadership team should review and discuss the Manager Onboarding together.
- If the initiative is led by HR or another department, use the Manager Onboarding to brief the leadership team and secure formal support.
4. Prepare and submit your Application Form
Review the Assessment Criteria section of this handbook to prepare the information and supporting documents needed for the application.
Complete the online Application Form through the AFFW website. The form requires:
- Answering guiding questions to describe how the organisation meets the seven certification criteria
- Supporting documentation (such as written policy, internal communications, or photographs) demonstrating how policies and practices are implemented in the workplace
This is also an opportunity to show how your organisation implements family-friendly practices in a way that reflects its unique approach and existing strengths.
Application Review
The AFFW Evaluation Committee will receive and review each submission. All applications are assessed against the same certification criteria, while recognising that organisations of different sizes and sectors may meet standards in different ways.
Once the review is complete, there are two primary paths forward:
- If the submission meets the criteria, your organisation proceeds to the Employee Experience Survey (Step 6).
- If the submission does not yet meet the criteria, your organisation will receive the Certification Results (Step 7) with feedback to reapply in the next application cycle.
5. Send out the Employee Experience Survey
Organisations that pass the initial review receive a secure link to distribute the Employee Experience Survey to employees.
This is a brief and anonymous survey, aligned with the seven certification criteria. Employee feedback helps confirm that policies and practices are reflected in daily workplace experience.
Leadership plays a key role in ensuring this feedback is successfully received. Organisations are expected to:
- Clearly communicate the purpose of the survey and how the results will be used
- Promote broad, voluntary participation across teams
- Ensure employees feel comfortable sharing their views
A one-month period is provided to distribute the survey and reach the minimum participation level.
6. Certification results
The AFFW Evaluation Committee reviews the Employee Experience Survey results alongside the initial application to confirm their alignment.
There are two possible outcomes for the application:
- Organisations meeting the criteria receive the AFFW Certification, valid for two years and eligible for renewal.
- Organisations whose current practices are not yet fully aligned with the criteria are invited to update their policies to reapply in the next application cycle.
Regardless of the outcome, every applicant receives a personalised feedback report highlighting current strengths and providing recommendations for future improvements.
What happens next?
Celebrate and Share
As a certified organisation, you will be recognised across Aruba as a leading employer committed to family-friendly workplace practices. Certified employers are featured through the AFFW website, official announcements, and recognition events that highlight their achievement.
You will also receive a Communication Kit with ready-to-use resources to help you share the news with employees, clients, partners, and the wider community. This includes the official AFFW Badge, along with email and social media templates designed to support clear and consistent messaging.
Looking Ahead
Achieving the AFFW Certification marks an important milestone in a long-term commitment to continuous improvement. Certified organisations are encouraged to continue strengthening their policies and practices and to apply for renewal every two years, demonstrating sustained alignment with AFFW criteria.
As the AFFW programme evolves, additional forms of recognition may be introduced, such as differentiated levels of achievement or a tiered model. The aim is to acknowledge not only compliance with core standards, but also consistent progress and a deepening commitment to supporting employees and their families over time.
