Read how multicultural women grow their careers at these companies: My Aha! Moment.

Methodology

The Application
The 2011 Working Mother Best Companies for Multicultural Women application includes nearly 300 questions on representation; hiring, attrition and promotion rates; recruitment, retention and advancement programs; and company culture. It surveys the availability and usage of programs, as well as the accountability of managers who oversee them.

Download the 2011 Executive Summary PDF here

The Scoring
The Working Mother Research Institute creates a scoring algorithm based on the previous year’s benchmark results, which then determines the winners. 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 the survey 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 class action lawsuits. This year, one winner settled a class action lawsuit during the consideration period for the 2011 Working Mother Best Companies for Multicultural Women, while another currently has a class action case open.

In November 2010, Verizon California settled a $6 million class action lawsuit brought by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), which claimed the company improperly administered leave of absence requests under California’s Family Rights Act. In response, the company says that it is cooperating with the DFEH to ensure that its leave-of-absence policies fully comply with California law.

A seven-year-old class action lawsuit claiming sexual discrimination against women remains open at Walmart. The company disputes the allegations and is seeking a reversal of the suit’s class action status.

How to Apply
Registration for the 2012 Working Mother Best Companies for Multicultural Women is now live at wmmsurveys.com. The application itself will be available in September and is due in December. We invite applications from private or public firms in any industry, with the exception of government agencies or firms in the business of providing work-life or child-care services. Companies are eligible to apply if they have 500 or more U.S. employees.

Article Reprints
For custom reprints of the Working Mother Best Companies for Multicultural Women, contact Libby Paulsen of PARS International Corp. at 212-221-9595, ext. 234, or libby.paulsen@parsintl.com.