Austin Named Best Place for Working Parents 8 Years Running

City's family-friendly policies earn it top honors from national certification program

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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For the eighth consecutive year, the city of Austin, Texas has been recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents®, a national certification that acknowledges the city's commitment to implementing research-backed policies designed to support working families and enhance business productivity.

Why it matters

The Best Place for Working Parents® designation highlights Austin's leadership in creating an environment that empowers working parents, which can serve as a model for other cities and municipalities looking to attract and retain top talent by prioritizing family-friendly policies.

The details

To earn the Best Place for Working Parents® certification, the City of Austin offers a range of benefits including flexible, remote, and hybrid work options, paid time off and family-friendly leave policies, child care assistance, and youth camp scholarships. The certification is awarded through a 3-minute, evidence-based online self-assessment that evaluates top policies supporting working parents.

  • Austin has received the Best Place for Working Parents® designation every year since 2019.
  • The latest recognition was announced on February 11, 2026.

The players

City of Austin

The local government of Austin, Texas that has implemented a suite of family-friendly policies to support working parents and enhance business productivity.

Susan Sinz

The Human Resources Director for the City of Austin, who stated the city is 'honored to be recognized for its efforts to support our employees, both in their professional and personal lives.'

Best Place for Working Parents®

A national network that certifies businesses implementing research-backed, family-friendly policies, noting that supporting working parents is crucial for attracting and retaining talent.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

As other cities and municipalities evaluate their own family-friendly policies, Austin's continued success in earning the Best Place for Working Parents® designation year after year can serve as a model for how prioritizing the needs of working families can yield tangible benefits for both employees and employers.