For many of the employees at this health care system, the job is more than a paycheck—it’s a lifeline. “I owe everything to Bon Secours,” says hospice director Leslie Smith, a former hourly worker who used $32,000 in forgivable loans and tuition aid from her employer to pursue bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Hourly workers also launch serious health care careers in the 22-week School at Work program.

CEO: Peter Bernard

Administrative Director, Work & Family Services: Dawn Trivette

% of employees who are non-exempt workers 83%

% of non-exempt workers who are women 84%

Work hours required for family health insurance: 16

Formal advancement program offered for hourly employees? Yes

% of hourly employees promoted to salaried positions who were women: 79%

Job-skills training offered for hourly employees? Yes

Managers rewarded for helping hourly employees advance? Yes

Lactation program offered for nursing mother employees? Yes

Paid time off offered to employees? Yes

Employee mothers with one year of service offered extra time off (beyond the 12 weeks required by FMLA) following childbirth? Yes