For the second year in a row, Carlson Companies has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers by Working Mother magazine. In addition, the publication named Carlson “Best in the Travel and Hospitality Industry” category.

Among the company`s benefits are two on-campus child care centers (one serving the Twin Cities campus and one in Omaha), an adoption support program, alternative work arrangements, parental leaves, and a variety of additional benefits designed to help Carlson employees balance their work and family lives.

A global leader in providing relationship marketing, business and leisure travel, and hospitality services, Carlson Companies also has been recognized by Fortune magazine and The Business Journal of Minneapolis as a great place to work.

Working Mother`s 17th annual list released today recognizes companies that value the needs of working families.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized again by Working Mother. We have worked extremely hard to establish Carlson Companies as a great place to work,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Marilyn Carlson Nelson. “Colleagues provide feedback through an annual survey, and we use the information to make positive changes in the workplace. In addition to helping our colleagues, our programs also make good business sense. Satisfied employees provide the high caliber of service our customers require.”

Working Mother cites Nelson`s interest in talent development as the philosophy behind Carlson Companies` programs for personal development, career advancement and tuition assistance policies. The publication also cites Carlson`s mentoring program, tuition assistance, and courses on management and leadership development.

In designing its human resources benefits, Carlson Companies considers best practices from companies across the country. Such practices have gone beyond the basic medical coverage, vacation time and wage adjustments, according to Rosalyn Mallet, Carlson Companies senior vice president of human resources.

“Many of our benefits are aimed at helping our colleagues balance their family lives with their work lives,” Mallet said. “Colleagues value the programs we provide, and by demonstrating that we care, we are in a better position to attract employees and retain them.”

In addition to having family-friendly benefits, formal and informal employee-development classes, and a competitive vacation and time-off policy, the company has devised several unique programs. Last spring, for example, Carlson partnered with several of its vendors to sponsor a Financial Wellness Week on the Twin Cities campus. The program focused on retirement planning, buying and selling homes, investments and one-on-one sessions with financial planners.
“We continue to build on the benefits programs that are in place and consider others that make sense for our colleagues and our company,” said Charles Montreuil, Carlson Companies vice president of corporate human resources.
According to Montreuil, perks such as providing high-quality, company- subsidized cafeteria service; tickets to corporate suites for sporting and cultural events, including the recent opportunity to bid on exclusive tickets for a Paul McCartney concert; and invitations to attend other special events - a presentation by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden during an awards ceremony earlier this year, for example - contribute to the worker-friendly culture at Carlson Companies.

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