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11 Ways to Find Women-Friendly Employers

Trying to find a company that will meet your changing needs as a woman? According to experts, you need to investigate how the organization supports its workers, particularly its female workforce.

Jan Shubert, associate director for Babson College’s Center for Women in Leadership, suggests you investigate “anything that helps you get a picture of how they look at and value women.”

Shubert and other experts say the clearest picture will emerge as you research corporate culture, company leadership, and policies and programs aimed at promoting women, respecting workers and their individual rights, and providing family support.

So how do you obtain the information you need to evaluate these areas? Start your detective work with these 11 strategies:

1. Look for Blue Ribbons

Many companies that recognize women’s work issues get recognized. Catalyst, a nonprofit that researches, consults and educates on workplace gender issues, recognizes pioneering companies. For starters, Julie Nugent, senior associate of Catalyst’s research and model workplace initiatives, advises women to take full advantage of the organization’s Web site. The National Association of Female Executives’ (NAFE’s) Top 30 Companies for Executive Women and Working Mother magazine’s 100 Best Companies lists are also great resources.

2. Scan the Web for Who Came in Last

“You can do this by searching on phrases like ‘gender discrimination’ and ‘lawsuit,’ or ‘sexual harassment’ and ‘settlement’ to see companies against whom suits have been filed or with which settlements have been reached,” advises Susan Colantuono, CEO of Leading Women, a Rhode Island-based firm offering leadership education for women.