This article has been posted on 30 oct, 09. It is filed under Active mother category.

This article was written by Liz O’Donnell.

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www.theglasshammer.com.

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Best of the Best: Working Mother’s Top Companies for Women

Twenty-six financial services firms, seven major technology companies, and four law firms were named in the Working Mother 100 Best Companies 2009 list, giving us hope that despite all the challenges women face and we document on this site every day, there are many companies that understand the value women bring to the workplace. And the companies cited by Working Mother magazine, don’t stop at appreciating the contributions of women at work. They support, promote and retain women workers.

Take Goldman Sachs. One of the reasons Goldman made the list is the global financial services firm started a “Returnship” program for employees reentering the workforce. This program is similar to an internship. Goldman Sachs runs an eight week retraining program to help employees bring their skill sets up to current standards.

Edie Hunt, managing director and chief diversity officer for Goldman Sachs said, “We are very proud to make the Working Mother 100 Best Companies once again. This year we were honored to learn that Working Mother highlighted our Returnship program. We launched this on-ramping internship-like program in 2008, based on the feedback we received from women who had participated in our half-day New Directions conferences. Goldman Sachs is committed to women’s initiatives and will continue to drive innovative programming to remain on the forefront of gender issues.”

That commitment is also evidenced by the 1,474 child-care centers and in-home agencies the firm provides and by the increase in women’s promotions. Thirty percent more women made partner last year than the year prior.

FINRA, the largest independent regulator of U.S. securities firms, also understands the winning formula. The company offers a hotline so that working parents can locate nurseries and day-care centers across the country. They also backup care for less than $5 per hour.

“At FINRA we understand that the demands on our employees extend beyond the workplace and we strive to create an environment where all employees, including our working parents, are able to balance life outside of work and support things that are most important to them,” says Nancy Condon, VP Corporate Communications.