Chrysler gets nod from mothers mag

In a year bloodied by drastic workplace cutbacks in jobs, salaries and benefits, Working Mother magazine determined its annual 100 Best Companies list by putting great weight on employers who were flexible.

“Flexibility is a cheap and powerful policy that you can give people,” said Jennifer Owens, the magazine’s special projects director. An employer “can’t give you a raise, but can give you some flexibility, and that’s free.”

To Michelle Thomas, an employee at Chrysler Group LLC, that flexibility is priceless. She’s worked at Chrysler for nine years, most recently in a job-sharing arrangement. She and another employee share a human resources position that allows her to work part-time, so she can better care for a 3-year-old son and an 8-month-old daughter.

The Auburn Hills automaker was one of three Michigan companies, including Battle Creek cereal maker Kellogg Co. and Midland’s Dow-Corning, that made the Working Mother 2009 list (www.workingmother.com).

“I had worked full-time for a few months when my first son was born. It was overwhelming. I didn’t have quality time. I was running my errands on weekends,” said Thomas. “This arrangement has been helpful to me to balance my work and my life.”

The magazine’s commentary noted that Chrysler “during a year of challenge and change … managed to beef up its work/life offerings to ensure that employees who needed help could still get it, despite being forced to reduce the size of its workforce in the wake of bankruptcy filings.”

Some of Chrysler’s female-friendly attractions: Chrysler opened a Henry Ford Medical Center clinic and pharmacy at headquarters. Its employee assistance program has grown to offer confidential counseling on emotional, financial and parenting challenges.

Chrysler headquarters offers a lactation room for women who are breastfeeding. Over the summer, Chrysler arranged with the Rochester YMCA to pick up children of employees at headquarters for transport to a daily summer camp.

Those perks are timesavers and anxiety-relievers, and benefit the employer also, since an employee can focus on the job instead of child care.

Studies have shown downsizing takes a toll on employee morale and productivity. In tough economic times, retaining programs such as flexible scheduling, telecommuting and job-sharing help keep employees motivated and build loyalty.

It’s the 12th time Chrysler has made the list, says Lisa Wicker, Chrysler’s director of global diversity, and represents “a message in and of itself that working mothers are important.” - Freep

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