FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 2003--
Company Emphasizes Professional Development and Benefits for
Sandwich Generation
GE announced today that it has been named one of this year's "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" by Working Mother magazine. Each year, the magazine recognizes companies that are making progress in work/life programs and in advancing women in the workplace. GE, which submitted an application to the magazine for the first time this year, employs 100,000 thousand women worldwide.
The Top 100 designation is based on criteria that include childcare, leave for new parents, flexible work arrangements, work/life benefits such as elder care and adoption assistance, and career opportunities for women. Family-friendly corporations not only attract and retain talented employees, but also impact their bottom lines with a more productive, loyal workforce, according to the publication.
"At GE, our strength derives from our people's dedication to excellence in everything they do, both in and outside of the office," said Deb Elam, Manager of Global Employer of Choice Initiatives at GE. "With a commitment to work/life initiatives and career growth programs such as the GE Women's Network, we hope to continue to attract, develop and retain women who contribute so much the company, their families and their communities across the country."
Each of GE's businesses has a range of flexible work arrangements, from job sharing to flex hours and telecommuting. Ms. Elam says in the future, the company will share best practices on these arrangements across the organization. GE also offers a variety of on-site services that enable employees to take care of personal needs, from wellness programs to on-site visits from the Department of Motor Vehicles once or twice per month.
Workplace cultures at GE and other Top 100 companies "have changed and now reflect the permanent presence of working mothers," said Carol Evans, Working Mother Media CEO. "And companies also are responding to pressure from both men and women in Generations X and Y, who demand a balanced life. Work/life benefits are here to stay."
The complete list of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers appears in the October issue of Working Mother (on newsstands today and at www.workingmother.com). Working Mother will honor the companies at a gala awards ceremony at the WorkLife Congress in New York, September 29-October 1 (www.worklifecongress.com).
About GE
GE is a diversified technology and services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.ge.com.
About Working Mother
Working Mother magazine, founded in 1979, reaches more than 3 million readers and is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers. Its 18-year signature initiative, "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers," is a benchmark for work/life practices in corporate America. The magazine is part of Working Mother Media (WMM), which also owns the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE), NAFE Magazine, and the annual 100 Best Companies Work/Life Conference. In 2003, WMM published its first annual list of the Best Companies for Women of Color.
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CONTACT:
GE Corporate
Alex Constantinople, 203-373-2387
or
Peppercom for GE
Ann Barlow, 212-931-6112