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Working Mother Magazine annually publishes its “100 Best Companies” to work for.
But we want to know: What do women think?
That’s the question Flexible Resources is asking working women professionals.
The focus has been on reporting what companies say they are doing for their female employees and how they have created what they say is work-life balance for all employees. But if you look closely at the Working Mother results, many flexible and other so-called ‘work-life options’ are offered, but in many instances, fewer than half the employees are taking advantage of them. That’s because in spite of policy, it all comes down to the individual manager.
But for the first time someone is asking women who they think are the companies that give working moms what they really want, and most important - the ones that actually put into practice what they preach - providing a work environment that allows moms to be productive and focused while giving them the time, control, and ability to handle responsibilities at home without undue stress.
“From 20 years’ experience interviewing MBA moms and other highly qualified women who are trying to balance career and family,” says Laurie Young, a founder and principal of Flexible Resources. “We know that there’s a serious disconnect between what businesses say they are doing, and what they actually do. There’s also a considerable distance between the types of benefits that companies offer working moms and what really matters to them. Since the Top 100 Companies list was first published, we’ve had women job seekers — many of whom work at some of the ‘Top 100′ companies - saying they want out,” says Ms. Young’s partner Nadine Mockler.
“We find that many of the so-called perks offered to working parents are mostly for show, and that women are not getting what they really need to be at their best. We are setting out to find out what that is, and what companies are the most successful at attracting and retaining the best female talent there is.”
To vote for your favorite company for women, go to www.twitter.com/flexresources and tell us what current or past employer created the best work environment that allowed women to be successful both at home and at work. And tell us why - what was the benefit they offer that make (or made) a real difference in your life.
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