Best Industry for Working Mothers? Not P&C Insurers

By Mark E. Ruquet

For working mothers seeking the best companies to work for, the property and casualty insurance industry is not the place for them, according to the 2013 Working Mother 100 Best Companies.

The only P&C insurer to make this year's list was Allstate.

Working Mother said, in part "For a mental and physical tune-up, employees of this financial services and insurance company can visit a new wellness center at headquarters...that holds a medical clinic, pharmacy and lab and offers lifestyle-coaching services.” The company opened another clinic in its second largest office in Irving, Texas. Allstate offers workshops for improving lifestyle and paid time-off of 20 days or more, plus eight holidays.

Life and health insurers are more in tune with employee’s needs. Making the list were Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, MetLife, The Phoenix Companies, Prudential and Mass Mutual.

What makes a company family friendly? Working Mother says it is the combination of benefits and flexible cultures.

“Parent employees get home in time for dinner, working moms get to the C-Suite and paid maternity leave is a given,” the publication says.