Ernst & Young LLP Ranks Among Top 10 Companies For Working Mothers

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  Highlighting the top companies who are paving the way for new moms and families everywhere, Working Mother magazine announced today that Ernst & Young LLP ranked in the top 10 on the 2011 Working Mother 100 Best Companies list and is now a member of its Hall of Fame. Demonstrating the power of change and their unwavering commitment to parents nationwide, all of this year's winning companies offer flextime hours, telecommuting, paid maternity leave and employee assistance programs.

"Joining the Hall of Fame is an honor that celebrates our longstanding commitment to supporting our working parents, especially our working mothers," noted Billie Williamson, Americas Inclusiveness Officer, Ernst & Young LLP. "To be named to the Best Companies list for 15 years, the last six of which we've ranked among the top 10 companies, is recognition of both our organization and our outstanding people. We're proud of the benefits and support we provide our working families, and we're proud to be seen as a leader."

The Ernst & Young organization is committed to helping employees succeed in all areas of their lives. Ernst & Young is continually developing ways to improve work/life programs and provide a truly inclusive work environment.  Among other benefits, Ernst & Young LLP offers a generous parental leave package, personal financial planning, college coaching, a comprehensive one-stop resource for life-management services, and four-day weekends around major holidays.  In addition, Ernst & Young encourages day-to-day flexibility to help people manage their personal and professional lives and also offers formal flexible work arrangements as needed.

Ernst & Young LLP will be celebrated at this year's Working Mother 100 Best Companies WorkLife Congress October 18-20, 2011, in New York City.

The Working Mother 100 Best Companies are judged on answers to 650 questions, including data on the access and usage of flexible work arrangements, parental leave, childcare, health and wellness support and the advancement of women to all levels of management.

"With more than 169,000 women hired last year, this year's 100 Best Companies make up an impressive group of winners who offer family-driven programs and benefits that far outpace their competitors," said Carol Evans, President, Working Mother Media. "This year's winning companies are proof that success lies in the numbers—97 percent of companies are offering prenatal education, weight-loss, wellness, and stress-reduction programs to employees at every level."  

The 100 Best Companies, as well as national comparisons, are profiled in the October issue of Working Mother and at workingmother.com/bestcompanies. Working Mother is a division of Bonnier Corporation.

Methodology:

Companies were selected for the 2011 Working Mother 100 Best Companies based on an extensive application with more than 650 questions that surveys the usage, availability and tracking of programs, as well as the accountability of managers who oversee them.  Seven areas were measured and scored for the 2011 initiative: workforce profile, benefits, women's issues and advancement, child care, flexible work, parental leave and company culture.  For this year's 100 Best, particular weight was given to benefits, flexibility and parental leave.  

For more information on applying for the 2012 Working Mother 100 Best Companies, visit www.wmmsurveys.com. The 2012 online application will be available in mid-December and due by early March 2012.  All companies that apply, including those that don't make the Working Mother 100 Best Companies list, receive feedback showing how they compare with all other applicants.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 141,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

For more information, please visit www.ey.com.

Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. This press release is issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member firm providing services to clients in the US.

About Working Mother Media
Working Mother magazine reaches 2.2 million readers and is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers; WorkingMother.com (www.workingmother.com) gives working mothers @home and @work advice, solutions, and ideas. This year marks the 26th anniversary of Working Mother's signature research initiative, Working Mother 100 Best Companies, and the ninth year of the Best Companies for Multicultural Women. Working Mother Media, a division of Bonnier Corporation (www.bonnier.com), includes the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE, www.nafe.com), Diversity Best Practices (www.diversitybestpractices.com), and the Working Mother Research Institute. Working Mother Media's mission is to serve as a champion of culture change.

About Bonnier Corporation
Bonnier Corp. (www.bonniercorp.com) is one of the largest consumer-publishing groups in America and is the leading media company serving passionate, highly engaged audiences, through 50 special-interest magazines and related multimedia projects and events. Bonnier Corp. is the U.S. division of the Bonnier Group (www.bonnier.com), a 200-year-old, family-owned media group based in Sweden with business operations in 25 countries.

SOURCE Ernst & Young LLP