The Application
The 2009 Working Mother 100 Best Companies application includes some 500 questions on workforce, compensation, child care, flexibility programs, leave policies and more. It also surveys usage, availability and tracking of programs, as well as the accountability of managers who oversee them.

What's Measured
Seven areas are assessed: workforce profile, benefits, women's issues and advancement, child care, flexible work, parental leave and company culture.

This Year's Winners
With the help of an independent research firm, we validated the applications for completeness and tabulated the scores, which then determined the winners. This year we gave particular weight to benefits, flexibility and parental leave. All applicants receive feedback showing how they compare to other applicants; however, the names of applicants that do not make the list are kept confidential. Company profiles are culled from applications and reflect 2008 data.

How to Apply
The purpose of the Working Mother 100 Best Companies initiative is to promote the interests of working mothers in corporate America by honoring companies that successfully help employees integrate home and work. By asking companies to track employee usage of programs, we focus attention on achieving measurable results. Interested in applying for our 25th anniversary list? The 2010 online application will be available in mid-December and will be due by early March 2010. To apply, please register at wmmsurveys.com.

We invite applications from private or public firms in any industry, with the exception of government agencies and firms in the business of providing work/life or child-care services.

Winning companies will be featured in the October issue of Working Mother and on workingmother.com.

Winning companies will be invited to celebrate their success at the Working Mother 100 Best Companies WorkLife Congress in 2010.

Article Reprints
For custom reprints of the Working Mother 100 Best Companies, contact Robyn Roberts of Pars International Corp. (2 2-22 -9595, ext. 323, or robyn.roberts@parsintl.com).