Allstate named in “100 Best Company List” for working mothers
Northbrook, Ill.-based All-state Insurance was named by Working Mother Magazine as a 2006 Working Mother 100 Best Company. For 21 years the Working Mother 100 Best list has celebrated employers whose groundbreaking benefits, from flexible schedules and child care to innovative leave policies for new parents, the company’s release said.
“Allstate is exceptional for its continuing commitment to working mothers, and we salute them for making the 100 Best for the 16th time,” said Carol Evans, CEO of Working Mother Media. “Every year we see companies upping the ante, establishing new paradigms for quality of life among their employees and redefining the status quo for workplaces across the country. Among the many worthy entrants, the winners really set the gold standard.”
In surveying the companies that applied for this year’s list, Working Mother gave particular weight to questions in two areas: flexible scheduling, the most critical benefit for working mothers, and leave time. Allstate has a history of implementing flexible work arrangements that allow employees to balance the demands of their personal lives with business and professional goals.
Other company benefits include onsite childcare at some locations, employee discounts for three national day care providers, $5,000 available in adoption assistance and free child car seats for new parents. On-site support services include health seminars, fitness center, oil changes, convenience stores, postal services, photo developing, dry cleaning, banking and/or ATMs, depending on office location.
“I congratulate Allstate for helping its working mother employees balance the demands of their work and home lives,” said Suzanne Riss, editor-in-chief of Working Mother magazine. “Allstate recognizes that outstanding family-friendly programs not only improve employees’ lives but also give the company leverage in its ability to attract and retain top talent.”
In 1942, Allstate introduced sales training courses for women, and over the years added new opportunities in continued education for all employees. These include on-site and distance learning programs, tuition reimbursement and in-house courses designed to develop business, interpersonal, technical and leadership skills. In 2005, Allstate invested more than $16.4 million in professional education.
“Allstate’s commitment to women reflects our broader view of workplace diversity” said Anise D. Wiley-Little, assistant vice president and Allstate chief diversity officer. “We see it as a cornerstone of our success. Our company gains strength from the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of our workforce. We’re proud that more than half of our workforce is women, and we’re here to support them in and out of the workplace.”
In a workforce of more than 37,000 Allstate employees, almost 60 percent are women and nearly 30 percent are minorities.
To apply for the Working Mother 100 Best, Allstate provided Working Mother magazine with detailed information on seven areas of work/life balance including workforce profile, compensation, child care, flexibility, time off and leaves, family-friendly programs and company culture. Allstate completed a 500+-question application, the most rigorous of its kind, which checked the availability, tracking and usage of programs to support working mothers, the accountability of managers to implement programs and the successful advancement of women into top paying jobs, board position and management ranks. Allstate was also required to submit benefits handbooks and supporting documentation.
Source: Allstate Insurance