(The Daily Nonpareil posted the following story on its website on September 28.)
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Union Pacific has been named one of the nation’s 100 best companies for working mothers by Working Mother magazine.
It was the second time in three years that the company – North America’s largest railroad – has been recognized by the publication.
“We are very honored that Working Mother has again named us to its prestigious list,” said Barb Schaefer, senior vice president of Human Resources for Union Pacific. “From child care programs to flex-time, we are very cognizant of the needs of today’s working mothers and working parents, and of the contributions they make to our company. We are committed to helping them succeed personally and professionally.”
Union Pacific provides a number of programs, services and facilities for its working parents, including:
Rest Easy, which pays half the cost of a nurse to go to an employee’s home if a child is sick.
LifeCare Services, a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week referral service to help parents find programs for children of all ages.
A 20,000-square-foot child care center under construction near the railroad’s new headquarters that will accommodate more than 200 children age six weeks to six years.
Specially outfitted lactation rooms.
Part-time work with maintained benefits, flex-time, job sharing and telecommuting.
Working Mother reported that work and life benefits have improved at many American companies. The magazine discovered that companies have increased benefits – ranging from child care programs to take-home dinners from the company cafeteria – in order to reduce employee stress and keep workers healthy.
What this means, said Jill Kirschenbaum, editor-in-chief of Working Mother, is that “workplace cultures at the best places to work have changed and now reflect the permanent impact of working mothers. And companies also are responding to pressure from both men and women in Generations X and Y, who want a balanced life. Work and life benefits are here to stay.”