Working Mother magazine today (Sept. 25) named Cornell a "2006 Working Mother 100 Best Company." For the past 21 years, the Working Mother 100 Best Companies award has recognized employers whose groundbreaking benefits -- from flexible schedules and child care to innovative leave policies for new parents -- helped redefine workplace standards across the nation.

"We are absolutely thrilled that Working Mother magazine recognizes Cornell's commitment to be an inclusive, caring employer for people from all walks of life," said Lynette Chappell-Williams, director of the university's Office of Workforce Diversity, Equity and Life Quality in the Office of Human Resources. "In this case, our employee benefits, programs and policies enable working parents to balance their career obligations with their commitment to parenting."

"Cornell University is exceptional for its continuing commitment to working mothers, and we salute them for making the 100 Best for the first time," said Carol Evans, CEO of Working Mother Media, publisher of Working Mother magazine. "Every year, we see companies upping the ante, establishing new paradigms for quality of life among their employees and redefining the status quo for workplaces across the country. Among the many worthy entrants, the winners really set the gold standard."

Cornell, which is profiled in the October issue of Working Mother magazine, is being recognized for creating a work environment that is especially hospitable for all women, including working mothers. In making such family-friendly policies as flextime, child care and telecommuting a standard, the 100 Best are cited for creating corporate cultures that encourage the retention and promotion of their female employees.

"Cornell is committed to continuing its emphasis on work/life programs aimed at supporting our faculty, staff and students as they balance their commitment to their work and studies with their commitment to their families, broadly defined," said Mary Opperman, Cornell vice president for human resources.

"We are committed to continuing our aggressive efforts to address the work/life needs of our faculty, staff and students," said Provost Biddy Martin. "Last year, we completed a work/life survey of our tenure-track faculty that will assist in establishing new programs that are responsive to our faculty and staff with families."