Best Workplaces for Parents

Fortune’s first-ever list of the 50 Best Workplaces for Parents highlights companies with flexible scheduling, supportive coworkers, and an emphasis on balance. Rankings are determined by employee surveys and other office metrics.

METHODOLOGY

The Top Ten

PricewaterhouseCoopers

NEW

Employees say: “My work team has a number of parents who have the flexibility to attend school functions and take their kids to camp because we have the trust in one another that the work will get done and we know that no one is dropping the ball. And that attitude extends outside of my immediate team. We practice what we preach here in terms of flexibility, and that makes a world of difference. I know that I end up working longer hours because I'm in a home office and it's easy to stay connected for too long, but it doesn't FEEL like longer hours because I can break for dinner and TV with my family and then come back.” “I have two babies at home and my wife also has a demanding career. I am really testing the work-life balance and flexibility ambitions of the firm. So far, I have encountered zero resistance to my unique schedule. I feel I have been given all of the tools to be ‘present’ even when I am not, at all hours of the day.”

Edward Jones

NEW

Employees say: “Edward Jones is truly family-oriented. The leaders go to great length to ensure that the employees have a good work/life balance and are aware of how employees feel about their workload. The department I work in feels like a family. We all go above and beyond to help each other in any time of business or personal need. We truly care about each other. "My personal life is greatly respected at Edward Jones. Having a family with two small children, demands on my time can be very high, juggling between work and home life. That said, I have never had to miss anything in my family/personal life that is important. The firm, my leaders and my co-workers truly care about me and my family and they are so supportive of my needs outside of work. ... I am grateful beyond words to Edward Jones for this!"

Ultimate Software

NEW

Employees say: "I am a single working mother of three. I have had a more than 20-year career working with other organizations. I have never, ever experienced the kind of work-life balance that is embraced by Ultimate Software. There is such an implicit understanding: our company trusts us to get our jobs done and do not micro-manage or cross the work-life boundaries in any way. It has been so incredibly refreshing to get back quality time with my children—something that is truly priceless to me. Ultimate's commitment to putting me and my family, first, makes me give 110% to doing whatever I can to help this company to succeed. I cannot say enough good things about Ultimate: they walk the walk, with each and every employee!" "Work life balance is a priority here which is hard to find these days. At Ultimate Software, I am able to be a mom, wife, and have an amazing career which is a dream of mine. I am also able to work from home a few days a week and/or when I need to for my children. I had a health scare with my son last year and my coworkers at all levels and all departments were there for me to help me get through it. Ultimate Software is my home away from home and my second family. I am blessed beyond words."

VMware

NEW

Employees say: "I have worked at many companies across the Valley and this one is unique in that it cares about its people. They have a very flexible work-at-home policy, which is tremendous in terms of work-life balance. I have special needs child and the ability to take him to his appointments and not feel concerned about my job alleviates a lot of stress in my life." "Balance of self, family, and work is espoused and encouraged from CEO Pat all the way down. That is something uniquely valuable to so many of us and gives us the flexibility to keep our personal lives in order while contributing what we can to VMware."

Alston & Bird

NEW

Employees say: "Just about one year ago, I gave birth to a little girl. We have onsite daycare that allows me to drop her off and pick her up without going out of my way. The daycare mirrors the firms hours, so I did not have to change my working hours unless I wanted to. I also requested to work four eight-hour days, as opposed to five 7.5-hour days (reducing my work week by 5.5 hours), and my managers were completely accepting and acted as advocates for me to do so. ... Another benefit with daycare is our BUCA (back up care) program. It allows for a certain number of days a year to have a nanny/sitter come to your home so you can keep working. I love this program and use it quite a bit." "How does a major international law firm create a sense of family AND excellence, of caring AND rigor? I don't quite know how this developed over the years, but it is what makes Alston & Bird very special, and the best place I have worked in my three decades in the workforce. ... If someone cannot fulfill their duties per family problems or illness, the next man—or woman—steps up to cover. No questions. No hand-wringing. No leaving someone out to dry."

Cooley

NEW

Employees say: "As a single parent, I can't imagine having the flexibility to thrive anywhere else like I do here. I have all the resources and support to work from home whenever I need to and I don't feel like I am penalized or treated differently for doing so." "The practice of corporate law at the highest levels at a big firm is a demanding endeavor. It often requires long hours and sacrifice. But having said that, I firmly believe Cooley is the best amongst the big firms at trying to balance this overarching goal with respecting people's humanity and trying to help its members achieve the work-life balance that is needed to keep people happy and thriving. Cooley has a very unique team-focus and entrepreneurial spirit that makes all the difference for me, and is the reason I want to spend my entire legal career here. It's a special place."

Kimley-Horn

NEW

Employees say: "I love how flexible things are at Kimley-Horn. If you need time off, you take it off—no questions asked. As long as you are putting in hard work while you are here and taking care of your clients, the firm can be very flexible with your work-life balance. They reward you extremely well for your hard work." "As a new mother, I was worried about returning about finding a work-life balance that would fit my needs. Kimley-Horn has a program for new moms, where you are paired with a mom who has been through the same experience. She checks in with me periodically to see how my transition is going. We talk about how to find the right work-life balance, deadline management, etc. Support through this program made me very supported by my co-workers and fellow moms in the workplace. I have been able to tweak my working hours as necessary to accommodate my family’s schedule. It’s great to know that I can adjust my schedule as my family’s needs evolve, and still be able to provide exceptional client service and take pride in my job. Because of the support I feel at Kimley-Horn, I feel empowered."

Quicken Loans

NEW

Employees say: "There is a very strong sense of work-life balance in my area of the company. I know that if I have to leave early for doctor's appointments or for activities with my children I am going to be supported 150% by all the leadership. I'm SO much more likely to go out of my way to help my leaders at work, and be a more productive team member knowing that if I need to be there for my family, I have the flexibility to do so." "We have the most fun of any company out there, I'm convinced. My son celebrated his first birthday this year and he received not only a birthday card from our CEO, but also a certificate for a free fathead. It was so great to know that my company doesn't just care about me, they care about my family too."

Comcast

NEW

Employees say: "Being a working mom, I longed to work for a company where flexible-time, or work-from-home opportunities are made available to employees. I have never expected to find such a company that would offer both, and I am very happy and appreciative of that. Even though I work the normal 8-5 job, management allows me to attend to personal and medical appointments without issue, so long I get my work done." "I love that I can be the best leader I can be, while still being the best mom I can be. I have worked for organizations in the past where this wasn't valued. Because Comcast values this about me, I am more willing and able to go above and beyond, and create a similar environment within the team I lead."

Deloitte

NEW

Employees say: "Leadership really wants you to succeed—there is a deep understanding that if you succeed, I succeed, we succeed! The parental leave and benefits are amazing—nearly six months for maternity leave fully paid, 30 days of back-up care, and lots of support for mothers." "Deloitte is at the forefront in terms of alternative work locations. We have the technology and, more importantly, support from management to make working remotely a viable option for many of our employees. This allows flexibility to balance work and life. Specifically, I was able to move across the country to live near my father, who is now 80, with the full support of my top line management and no impact on my position with the firm. I now work out of my house most of the time, going in to the local office to connect with colleagues through video conferencing or live."