First Chicago NBD named best employer for working mothers

Northwestern Financial Review, Nov 8, 1997

Working Mother magazine has named First Chicago NBD Corp. as one of the best employers for working mothers.

"Our employees are our most valuable competitive resource," said company chairman Verne Istock. "That's why we continue to invest in work and family initiatives that help employees balance the demand of their jobs with the challenges of personal and family situations."

Two-thirds of First Chicago NBD's 36,000 employees are women. "Family-friendly initiatives are good for employees and good for business," said Timothy Moen, executive vice president of human resources.

Among the company's policies designed to benefit employees and their families, are flexible work options, and work and resource centers.

Using flexible work options, audit group manager Marian Knueven designed a schedule allowing her to manage five employees while working a three-day week. "This works for me and First Chicago NBD," she said. "I have the flexibility to be at home with my children and also to use my experience for the company."

Work and family resource centers serve as a resource where employees can ask questions about child and elder care, and get referrals. In the last three years, more than 8,000 employees contacted the Chicago-based center. The company is planning to open centers in Detroit and Indianapolis.

Through consultation with the center, credit reviewer Karen Jurko found help in paying for her grandmother's expensive prescriptions and found a day-care provider for her children. "I wasn't sure where to start, but I knew I needed help," she said. "The center's staff saved me so much time and frustration."

The company offers its 8,000 downtown Chicago employees access to a Back-Up Emergency Child Care Center to accommodate temporary caretaking needs.

In the last year, it's opened four more worksite medical departments in Indianapolis, Detroit, Bellville, Mich., and Chicago.

Prior to merging with NBD, First Chicago was named one of the 100 best employers for working mothers by Working Mother in 1994 and 1995.