Despite the growing popularity of compressed work weeks, job-sharing, telecommuting and other workplace flexibility options, two out of three working mothers believe there is still a stigma attached to using flextime options, says a Working Mother Magazine survey. However, Baptist Health South Florida is one of the companies working to eliminate this bias by offering its working mother employees not just flexibility, but advancement opportunities as well.

For its efforts, Baptist Health has been named to the 20th anniversary list of the Working Mother 100 Best Companies. In surveying the companies that applied for this year’s list, particular weight was given to questions in three areas: flexible scheduling, child care and time off for new parents. Companies applying completed a 550-question application, answering questions on childcare, work/life culture, flexibility, parental leave, women’s advancement, total compensation and family-friendly programs.

“We salute Baptist Health for their efforts on behalf of working mothers, and for making the 100 Best list for the 13th time,” said Carol Evans, CEO of Working Mother Media. “It is my hope that other companies around the country learn from the best and experience first-hand the value of flexibility as a business imperative.”

Baptist Health is the region’s largest not-for-profit healthcare organization, with 10,700 employees.

“It’s an honor to be included on this list as it means we are among an elite group of companies who believe in offering flexibility, and chances for advancement through promotion from within, or financial assistance to pursue further education and training,” said Brian E. Keeley, President and CEO of Baptist Health. “We hope that by encouraging our staff to take advantage of opportunities to learn and grow professionally, we’ve eliminated any bias towards working mothers.”

About one-third of the employees are working mothers based at several South Florida locations, including Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital (in Tavernier), South Miami Hospital, Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Baptist Outpatient Services. Seventy-five percent of Baptist Health’s employees are women. Of those in the top 20 percent of pay rank, 78 percent are women. Sixty-six percent of managers and 50 percent of the strategic management group are women. In fact, two Baptist Health affiliate CEOs are working mothers who worked their way up in the organization while raising children – Patricia Rosello, CEO of Baptist Outpatient Services, and Ana Lopez-Blazquez, CEO of Baptist Health Enterprises.

Through Organizational Learning and its Baptist Learning Network employees are encouraged to take part in various on-site professional development training and certification programs. Full-tuition scholarships worth up to $12,000 a year are offered for nursing and other allied healthcare fields. The nursing scholars program has graduated about 600 nurses, with more than 300 nursing scholars currently enrolled in nursing programs. Baptist Health’s tuition reimbursement program offers financial help of up to $6,000 annually for graduate and undergraduate education.

Baptist Health joins the top 100 companies on the list in providing flexible scheduling that helps employees balance work and family obligations. Baptist Health also offers child care centers on three hospital campuses, and other benefits including Wellness Advantage, which helps Baptist Health employees stay healthy with free fitness rooms, wellness coaches, and health screenings; affordable health insurance, retirement benefits, flexible spending accounts; and adoption benefits.

“The bottom line is that we value our employees, and to attract and keep those who can provide the outstanding, compassionate care we’re known for, we need to show them they are valued, providing services that give them time with their loved ones, and opportunities to grow professionally,” said Mr. Keeley.