Working Mother Names 2019’s Best Companies for Dads

Working Mother Magazine has announced 2019’s Best Companies For Dads. The list recognises organisations that support working fathers by offering resources, such as parental and family leave, flexible schedules and other family-friendly benefits.

Fifty companies feature in this year’s list – up from 35 in 2018, confirms the publisher. They include: Abbott, AbbVie, Accenture, Adobe, American Express, Arnold & Porter, Astellas, AT Kearney, Bain & Company, Bank of America, Barclays, Baxter, Booz Allen, Hamilton, Boston Consulting Group, Boston Scientific, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Ceridian, Deloitte, Diageo North America, EY, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, FINRA, Finegan, General Mills, Goldman Sachs, Grant Thornton, Horizon, IBM, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, KPMG, L.E.K. Consulting, LEGO, McKinsey & Company, Merck, Microsoft, Moody’s, Morgan Stanley, Moss Adams, P&G, Prudential, PwC, RSM, Sanofi, Sony, Takeda, Viacom, Verizon, Unilever and WellStar.

“We created the Best Dads list to applaud trendsetting companies that are listening to their employees and leading the way for other top employers,” states Subha Barry, president of Working Mother Media. “The data is clear. Dads who have the flexibility to do their part in parenting and caregiving provide support that is so important to a working mom’s success.”

Commenting on the organisations featured in this year’s list, she adds: “We celebrate their efforts and applaud them for addressing the needs of this important and ever-growing sector of talent.” 

PRIORITISING WORKPLACE FLEXIBILITY

Offering workplace flexibility to working parents is a priority for all the organisations listed in 2019’s Best Companies For Dads. Employees at Ceridian, for example, have the freedom to work remotely, and are encouraged to leverage its ‘Take 2’ programme, where they can take two hours out of their day to tend to personal matters, like attending a child’s school programme. Ceridian’s ‘Flexible Time Away From Work’ programme also gives its employees the freedom to take time off in a way that best suits their lifestyles, the company confirms.

“At Ceridian, we are deliberate in our commitment to creating an inclusive, equitable and fulfilling workplace experience that creates meaning and purpose for all people, including our hardworking parents,” comments Lisa Sterling, Chief People and Culture Officer at Ceridian. “Delivering programmes that boost commitment, discretionary effort and foster flexibility are crucial to our people’s wellbeing. Our culture enables working parents to be their best selves at and away from work, and create fluidity between home and work.”

SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYERS

Baxter too is focused on creating a positive and supportive work environment for all working parents and confirms that it continues to expand on paternity and gender-neutral parental leave and flexible schedules.

“We’re honoured to be named one of the ‘Best Companies for Dads’ and recognised as an inclusive company for working parents and caregivers,” comments José (Joe) E. Almeida, Chairman and Chief executive officer. “As a working father myself, I know the importance of advancing a culture that supports all employees through major life events and day-to-day family commitments, while also providing rewarding career opportunities.”

Astellas earned a spot on the 2019 Working Mother’s Best Companies for Dads list for the first time for its leadership in paternity leave and Bridge Back to Work programme, parental school time off, benefits and flextime. 

Astellas says its StarLIFE programme offers employees flexibility for when they work, robust maternity/paternity/adoption leave programmes and a full spectrum of caregiving support for their families. In 2018, Astellas increased its paternity leave from two to four weeks. Its enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave programme now includes additional weeks of full pay, followed by Bridge Back to Work time, which enables fathers to use their paternity leave time flexibly so they can do what is best for them and their family. Since 2017, nearly 100 dads have used the paternity leave benefit, the company confirms.

EQUAL PARENTING PARTNERS

“We are proud to receive recognition for the programmes that equip our working dads to be equal parenting partners to their families, manage their work life balance and be their best selves at work each day,” states Eloiza Domingo-Snyder, Executive Director, Head of Engagement, Diversity & Inclusion at Astellas.

In short, parents with careers want employers who support them at home and at work. “That’s why we offer paid parental leave, telecommuting, flexible work arrangements and discounts for childcare,” says Brenda Wagner, Chief People and Culture Officer of Grant Thornton. “We’re honoured to be recognised by Working Mother for the benefits and employment arrangements and opportunities we provide to working moms and dads alike. It’s how we all succeed.”