Last night as I perused the Web, I came across a story on MSN about the best places to work if you're a Mom. Apparently Working Mother magazine ranks the top 100 employers for moms each year. You can read the story here.
The article says, "IBM and Johnson & Johnson are the only companies that have been on the list every year since it was initiated 21 years ago. IBM offers new mothers the option to take up to 144 weeks of leave, Evans said.
"The Boston Consulting Group is one of 18 companies new to the list. Among the consulting group's benefits are three months of paid maternity leave and emergency child care."
Wow.
I know there are places out there where people don't get paid for their leave. I know there are places that offer extended six time for up to three months that can be used as maternity leave. I felt fortunate to have six weeks of maternity leave. After that, I could take up to 6 months off, unpaid, but after 12 weeks, weird things would happen insurance-wise. So I ended up taking my six weeks, adding three days of leftover vacation time to it, then staying home an additional week and a half without pay. I came back to work right after the new year. At that time, Keith stayed home with Autumn for two more weeks until she had to start at the child care center.
And all I have to say after reading this article is hoorah to the companies on the list for being so flexible to new mothers. Hoorah for those mothers who work there. They should realize this is not the norm and they should thank goodness and take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.