Professional women across Canada are seeking employers who offer flexibility, supportive leadership and progressive programs.  Nominations for the 2010 Progressive Employers of Canada List are now closed. We would like to congratulate all the companies who have been recognized on the 2010 Progressive Employers of Canada List. They are among a select group of “mom-friendly” employers who are leading progressive change in the Canadian workplace for working parents and their families. To view the complete 2010 Progressive Employers of Canada list click here.

Connect Moms, momcafé and Lisa Martin International (founder of the Briefcase Moms Program) initiated the annual Progressive Employers of Canada List, after conducting a nationwide survey in November 2008 to determine what women, and moms in particular, who are traditionally underrepresented in the workforce, were looking for in a workplace of choice.  The survey found that organizations need to offer a range of the following services or benefits to be considered supportive environments for working parents including:
* access to emergency childcare

* lactation rooms

* flex-time

* on-site daycare

* part-time or contract positions

* maternity and parental leave top-up

* health benefits

Companies meeting these criteria have been considered for placement on the 2010 Progressive Employers of Canada List.  Nominations have been submitted by emailing info@progressiveemployers.com with the following information: a company name, corporate representative’s name and contact details and an explanation why the company should be recognized as “progressive”.

The purpose of the 2010 Progressive Employers of Canada List is to encourage organizations to consider the value they offer employees in innovative ways and to share this information with a national network of savvy, educated, professionals, who are looking for more progressive work environments.  This list is designed to enhance the dialogue between these employers and employees and ultimately identify more supportive workplaces.

We would like to congratulate the organizations who were recognized on the inaugural 2009 Progressive Employers of Canada List and all the organizations who have been recognized on the 2010 Progressive Employers of Canada List. These employers are among a select group of “mom-friendly” employers who are leading progressive change in the Canadian workplace for working parents and their families.

What is List-Worthy?
When polled in November 2008, working mothers across Canada told us that organizations need to offer a range of the following services or benefits to be considered supportive environments for working parents:
- 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

Who is List-Worthy for 2010?
If you can identify a company that is list-worthy, please send an email to info@progressiveemployers.com with the company name, a representative’s name and contact details and why you think it is mom-friendly.  We will interview the representative and may possibly place the company on the 2010 Progressive Employers of Canada List.