For the seventh time in recent history, Carlson has been recognized as one of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers by Working Mother magazine.

Cited for its family-friendly benefits and strong values-based culture, Carlson once again received the honor for continuing its commitment to flexible work schedules, parental leave, adoption assistance, on-campus child care and its focus on the advancement of women.

Winners were selected for the recognition based on a 500-question application that measured companies across the board on work and family benefit issues. For this year's "100 Best," particular weight was given to benefits, flexibility and parental leave.

"We are thrilled to be part of the '100 Best.' As a service company, attracting and retaining the best people is critical to our success," said Hubert Joly, Carlson president and chief executive officer. "We put great emphasis on maintaining an attractive work environment, which includes providing benefits that keep our employees engaged, and help them integrate and balance their work and family lives."

Carlson's program offerings are as diverse as they are purposeful
Among Carlson's additional benefits and programs are alternative work arrangements, seminars on a variety of work/life, financial and health/wellness topics, and volunteer opportunities. Carlson's employee assistance program provides services ranging from advice on family matters, to health and financial assistance, to home repairs. The "Gift of Time" is another employee program allowing employees to voluntarily donate their vacation time to co-workers facing a life-threatening crisis or disaster-related emergency. In 2008, employees donated more than 1,900 hours to the program.

Carlson also offers paid maternity leave, paternal leave, lactation facilities, domestic partner benefits, and on-site medical services through MinuteClinic at the company's headquarters. In addition, the company offers programs to assist with personal development, tuition reimbursement, mentoring and concierge services.