Crain’s Chicago Business Recognizes Women Employed for Commitment to Supportive and Inclusive Workplace with Top-Tier Benefits

CHICAGO – For the second year in a row, Women Employed (WE) has been named to Crain’s Chicago Business’ list of Best Places to Work in Chicago. For more than 50 years, Women Employed has pursued equity for women in the workforce by shaping policy change, expanding access to educational opportunities, and advocating for fair and inclusive workplaces so that all women, families, and communities can thrive. Their mission is to improve the economic status of women and remove barriers to economic equity, and they are working towards closing the wealth gap at the intersection of gender and race.   

Ranked 44 out of 100 employers, WE’s inclusion on the 2024 list reaffirms the organization’s deep commitment to equity and inclusion that starts in its own workplace. Despite their small size, Women Employed provides employees with excellent benefits, hybrid work and flexible scheduling, and generous supports to help staff manage both their work and their lives.   

“We are proud to once again be recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of their Best Places to Work in Chicago,” said Cherita Ellens, Women Employed’s President and CEO. “This honor reflects our ongoing and steadfast commitment to creating supportive, equitable, and inclusive workplaces not just for the women we advocate for, but for our own staff as well.”  

Some of the benefits Women Employed provides to its staff members include: 

• Health insurance with 85% – 95% of premiums covered by WE; 

• A Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) for staff that reimburses healthcare deductible, co-pay, and co-insurance amounts above $500. 

• 12 weeks (9 fully paid) of parental leave per year; 

• Paid sick time with a generous carry-over allotment and a leave-sharing option to cover staff who need additional paid time off; 

• Week-long paid winter break; 

• 15 days of paid vacation for new staff; 

• 10 paid holidays, including Indigenous People’s Day and Juneteenth; 

• Internet and cell phone reimbursements; 

• A 403(b) retirement plan with employee contributions, and a 401(k) plan with contributions made by WE; 

• Fully paid life insurance; 

• Options to work remotely, from the office, or hybrid, and the opportunity to work compressed and flexible schedules to best manage work and life; 

• One day per week where no internal meetings are scheduled; 

• Home office set-up stipend; and 

• Paid day of service for federal elections. 

Women Employed is also deeply committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring Women of Color are represented at every level of the organization, and on the Board of Directors. WE conducts regular compensation audits to identify and address equity gaps, and performs annual employee engagement surveys to understand the needs and experiences of their staff. WE feels strongly that staff should reflect the communities the organization serves, and that every employee should have the support they need to feel valued, and to bring their whole, authentic selves to work.  

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About Women Employed
Since 1973, Women Employed (WE) has been opening doors, breaking barriers, and expanding opportunities for women. Our mission is to increase the economic status of women and remove barriers to economic equity, and we do that by shaping policy change, expanding access to educational opportunities, and advocating for fair and inclusive workplaces so that all women, families, and communities can thrive. For more information, visit https://womenemployed.org, or follow Women Employed on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram.