top employers

Welcome to the 2009 Progressive Employers of Canada List. We are in the process of compiling this valuable list in conjunction with momcafe and Lisa Martin Group and look forward to being able to present new employers to you who offer “mom-friendly” work cultures. We will be announcing the complete list in May 2009.

Progressive Employers of Canada List

• BC Hydro

• Biblioteca Inc – Technical Library Consulting

• Catholic Childrens Aid Society of Toronto

• City of Vancouver

• Deloitte

• Ernst & Young LLP

• Flight Centre

• Habañero Consulting Group

• IBM Canada

• Kraft Canada

• LIJA

• Microsoft Canada Development Centre

• McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group

• Nannies On Call

• Next Level Games

• Nurse Next Door

• Please Mum

• Prema Sai and Prema Sai Prenatal in Calgary

• Pricewaterhouse Coopers

• RBC

• Salmon Arm Savings & Credit Union

• Savvy Mom Media

• TD Bank Financial Group

• TELUS

• Vancity

• Webnames.ca

• WestJet

• WorkSafeBC

• YWCA Vancouver

What are professionally minded moms across the country seeking in the workplace?

In the Connect Moms, momcafe, Martin Group International Work/Life Balance Survey moms across Canada told us that flexibility and supportive leadership were the most important elements in the workplace. 92% of respondents would like a “flexible work environment” including the ability to leave early or arrive late to the office, work from home or in transit, negotiatiing a shorter or condensed workweek, and banking time to take extra days off as needed.” Also, 83% of respondents would like “supportive leadership” in the workplace. For the complete results of the survey, click here.

Criteria – How do we determine who should be on the list?

A lot of research and outreach is involved to determine which companies are offering flexibility in the workplace, supportive leadership and innovative and progressive programs that recognize the dynamic needs of working moms.

We are asking employers and employees across the country to comment on the following list of criteria and to also add to this list with other innovative programs or initiatives they may be offering their employees. We recognize these services or programs benefit working moms and often all employees.

These services or benefits can range from:
- personal/life balance coaching;
- access to emergency childcare;
- flex-time;
- job cooperatives / job sharing
- part-time or contract positions;
- gradual re-entry after maternity leave;
- concierge services;
- lactation rooms;
- on-site daycare;
- information and access to daycare facilities in your area;
- maternity and parental leave top-up;
- health benefits.

Please check back over the coming months as Connect Moms brings you the Progressive Employers of Canada list.