The Application
The 2010 Working Mother 100 Best Companies application includes more than 600 questions on workforce representation, child care, flexibility programs, leave policies and more. It surveys the usage, availability and tracking of programs, as well as the accountability of managers.

What’s Measured
Eight areas are scored: workforce profile; benefits; women’s issues and advancement; child care; flexible work; paid time off and leaves; company culture; and work-life programs. An essay regarding best practices to support working mothers is also evaluated.

This Year’s Winners
With the help of an independent Web survey software company, the Working Mother Best Companies Team creates a scoring algorithm based on the previous year’s benchmark results, which then determines the winners. For this year’s list, we gave particular weight to child care, flexibility and paid time off and leaves. 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 and data are culled from applications and reflect 2009 data.

Class-Action Lawsuits
Working Mother considers not only the programs, benefits and opportunities offered by companies but also recently settled, decided or still-pending gender discrimination lawsuits. This year, two winners settled such class-action lawsuits during the consideration period for the 2010 Working Mother 100 Best Companies:

In July 2009, Dell agreed to pay $9.1 million to settle a class-action suit brought by two former employees who claimed that women were not given equal training, pay or access to promotions. As part of the settlement, $3.5 million was set aside to implement an internal pay-equity study. The company has since engaged outside experts to examine its diversity and inclusion practices.

In March 2010, sanofi-aventis U.S. agreed to settle a class-action suit on behalf of approximately 4,000 female sales representatives who claimed disparity in pay and promotions. By mutual accord, the parties have decided not to comment on the terms of the proposed settlement.

How to Apply
The online application for the 2011 Working Mother 100 Best Companies will be available in December and is due in March 2011. To apply, you first must 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 worklife or childcare services.

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