The Top 10 Companies For Working Moms In 2014

BANGALORE: Gone are the days when women used to shy away from work after attaining motherhood. But being a mom, having the flexibility to work and care for her family is sacred, and a necessary benefit. The best companies with flexible jobs for working mothers include several well-known companies. Check out the following nine companies that offer flexible jobs for working moms as compiled by Forbes:

1.  Deloitte

Deloitte University, boasts hundreds of training courses for its employees. As they pursue their career goals, moms telecommute, ramp up or reduce their workloads, take paid sabbaticals and even go on five-year breaks, all the while maintaining connections to office mentors and freelance work.

Gender-neutral parental leave policies grant at least eight fully paid weeks off to primary caregivers and three fully paid weeks off to secondary caregivers after the birth or adoption of a child. To keep costs down, employees use the firm's mortgage assistance, tap up to $10,000 in annual tuition aid and invest in pretax commuter, health-care and dependent-care accounts. [$$$$]

2. Abbott

Abbott was awarded as the “Top Company for working moms” in 2007. With shorter commutes, less stress and more quality time, it’s easy to see why employees of this health care company talk wildly about alternative work schedules.

Located in Abbott Park, Ill., the healthcare company, employs 34,062 people, 49 percent of them are women. Among other remarks about the company, Working Mother noted that it offers women an average of two weeks of fully-paid maternity leave.

3. Ernst & Young LLP

In a high-pressure industry, spending any length of time away from work can be nerve-racking, which is why the Career and Family Transitions program, this professional services firm is piloting for employees is so important. Before any women depart on their 22-week maternity leave, they are paired with coaches who advise them on the best ways to satisfy their clients’ and teams’ expectations and establish goals for their return.

The program also brokers discussions with their sponsors, mentors, colleagues and leaders, which increases engagement in these new parents’ success. When their leaves are finally over, women may phase back to work on a reduced schedule for as long as needed.[$$$$]

4. General Mills

Get a haircut, grab a family dinner, pick up new glasses—moms can do a lot at this food manufacturing company’s headquarters, thanks to its beauty salon, cafeteria, day care, gym, gas station, tailor and medical clinic with dental and vision care.

A concierge service wraps gifts, researches trips, orders flowers and plans parties. Family members can access free financial coaching, scholarships and a credit union; an employee assistance program finds child care providers and medical specialists. Sabbaticals, flex schedules, summer hours and phase-back arrangements give employees the extra time they need.

5. Discovery Communications

Self-improvement is a major focus for employees at this media company, which enhances their education with up to $5,000 in annual tuition assistance and promotes deeper transformations with financial wellness seminars and life-coaching sessions.

Parents take on-site Baby Basics workshops to learn how to keep their infants healthy and happy; prenatal yoga classes and breastfeeding consultations offer teachable moments for moms. In 2012, the 13-week Lean 4 Life program even allowed employees to work with a dietitian to change their eating habits. [$$$$]

6. IBM

Doing well at work makes no difference if you can’t manage your money. This technology company supports employees with unlimited free financial counseling sessions, which help them make sense of their taxes, mortgages, retirement, estate plans and more. Its own extensive offerings save them additional cash and include affordable day care services, college 529 plans and scholarships, and free elder care consultations.

Under its Healthy Rebates initiative, families even earn up to $300 annually for eating right, exercising and engaging in other productive behaviors. In 2012, the company’s resource and referral service held 150+ work life seminars, which were widely attended.

7. PWC

This audit, tax and advisory services firm promotes truth-telling through a nationwide program that finds veteran moms sharing their wisdom with new ones, and maintains a separate, dedicated circle for the caregivers of kids and adults with special needs.

Women’s networking groups in each market provide professional counsel, while the women upfront online community probes career and parenting issues, using videos and webcasts.[$$$$]

8. Prudential Financial

Coming back to work after having a baby can be tough, something this financial services firm recognizes by allowing new moms to take up to 26 job-guaranteed weeks off, with 9 partially paid. Women who adopt spend 11 weeks away, on average, and are eligible for up to $10,000 to cover related expenses.

New mothers may request a gradual return to the office or potentially work from home, a solid lactation program; infant transition services, extensive child care and eight on-site wellness centers also help.

9. American Express

The global provider of financial goods and services is based in New York, and employs over 63,000 individuals around the world. American Express has been in operation since 1850 and continues to be dedicated to providing excellent service while driving innovation.

Part-time and work-from-home jobs have been offered for positions such as meeting manager, business development, manager account development, travel consultant, marketing coordinator, consulting analyst, manager relationship development, and customer care professional.

10. Dell

Dell has been providing innovative technology solutions that transport the way people work and use technology around the world. Dell serves a large customer base that includes businesses and individuals, as well as the communities in which they are located.

Headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, Dell is an employer with flexible remote jobs. Some examples of jobs include sales engineers, account managers, senior report writers, senior advisor, delivery managers, project program managers, marketing directors, and business consultants.