For the seventh straight year, Ernst & Young LLP ranks among the top 10 companies for working mothers

NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP has ranked in the top 10 on Working Mother's 2012 Working Mother 100 Best Companies list, marking the firm's seventh year in the top 10 and its 16^th appearance on the list. Last year, Ernst & Young LLP was also inducted into Working Mother magazine's Hall of Fame, demonstrating the firm's continued commitment to women's advancement and showcasing its programs and policies that benefit working parents.

"We are so proud to again be listed among the top 10 companies for working mothers," said Karyn Twaronite, Americas Inclusiveness Officer, Ernst & Young. "This recognition not only highlights our ongoing commitment to our working parents and women, it reinforces our dedication to fostering a flexible and inclusive work environment that ultimately benefits all of our people. At Ernst & Young, we want to do everything we can to help our people succeed personally and professionally."

The Working Mother 100 Best Companies survey honors organizations for their flexible culture as well as their wide array of progressive workplace programs supporting child care, flexibility, women's advancement and paid family leave. This is the 27^th year Working Mother has recognized organizations for their initiatives.

Ernst & Young continually evaluates and improves upon its programs that support its people in making their busy lives easier, both professionally and personally. To assist working parents, 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 US holidays. Flexibility is embedded in Ernst & Young's culture, empowering teams to help each other navigate day-to-day flexibility around how, when and where work gets done. The firm also offers formal flexible work arrangements for those who need them.

Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media, says, "We are proud to recognize Ernst & Young for making the 'Top 10' as a 2012 Working Mother 100 Best Company. In 2012, the company has also earned new recognition as a Top 10 Company for Health and Wellness, bestowed upon corporate leaders who have created innovative programs to encourage a healthy lifestyle right in the workplace."

Health and wellness benefits Ernst & Young LLP provides for new parents include parenting and sibling classes, breast pumps for employees and the spouses of employees, and transport of breast milk for women traveling on business. In addition, the firm provides support groups for parents of children with special needs, teenagers, cancer survivors, adult dependents and military families. Employees can use virtual tools online to network and support each other, and training on topics such as caregiving and parenting is now available through webinars, podcasts and teleconferences. The firm also provides subsidies for backup child care and elder care, long-term care insurance, and counseling either in-person, by phone or via online sessions.

All of the winners will be recognized at the Working Mother 100 Best Companies Gala Awards Dinner on Oct. 10, 2012, at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The event is part of the Work Life Congress annual conference held from Oct. 8-10, 2012. The 100 Best Companies are also recognized in the October/November issue of the magazine and on workingmother.com.

In addition to announcing its working mother of the year at the event, Ernst & Young LLP will celebrate Working Mother's recognition of its Flexibility Strategy Leader Maryella Gockel, who will receive the Ted Childs Workplace Excellence Award for her work to help Ernst & Young LLP become a more flexible and inclusive workplace.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 152,000 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 news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited that provides professional services to clients in the US.

About Working Mother Media

Working Mother Media, a division of Bonnier Corporation (bonnier.com), publishes Working Mother magazine and its companion website, workingmother.com, and the Working Mother Research Institute. The National Association for Female Executives (nafe.com ), Diversity Best Practices (diversitybestpractices.com) are also units within WMM. Working Mother Media's mission is to serve as a champion of culture change. Working Mother magazine reaches more than 2 million readers and is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers; Workingmother.com gives working mothers @home and @work advice, solutions, and ideas. This year marks the 27th anniversary of the magazine's signature research initiative, Working Mother 100 Best Companies, and the 10th year of the Best Companies for Multicultural Women. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Pinterest.

SOURCE Ernst & Young LLP