Working Mother Magazine Award Winner
"We realize that if an employee's personal life is in disarray, it can affect their productivity at work. We created a flexible workplace environment that emphasizes a work/life balance and provides professional opportunities without any gender or life situation limitations," explained Spiers-Lopez. "If an IKEA co-worker needs to take time off to find a nursing home for an aging parent, be home to kiss their child before bed, or telecommute to best juggle caring for a newborn, they can actually do that without feeling guilty or worrying about risking their career aspirations." -more-
According to Working Mother Editor-in-Chief Jill Kirschenbaum, "Workplace cultures at the best places to work have changed and now reflect the permanent presence of working mothers. And companies also are responding to pressure from both men and women in Generations X and Y, who demand a balanced life. Work/life benefits are here to stay."
IKEA is aggressively expanding in North America with 50 new stores in the next ten years, and has in place extensive professional development and training programs to cultivate co-worker talent and advancement, as well as attract new talent to IKEA. IKEA co-workers can participate in a mentoring program and take advantage of specialized training in such areas as diversity, health and safety, computer training, and social and environmental responsibility. IKEA encourages an "I want your job" philosophy, which enables co-workers to train openly and directly with the person whose career they'd like to purse as the next step in their professional development.
"By developing our co-workers, IKEA fosters a strong culture that encourages people to continuously expand their knowledge at IKEA and grow within the organization," said Hope Bear, deputy human resources manager, IKEA U.S. "We are striving to achieve an ambitious goal to promote internally at a rate of approximately 90 percent."
In celebration as one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" and recipient of the Family Champion Award, IKEA co-workers in its U.S. stores will wear unique t-shirts and invite customers to ask about the special honor and why IKEA is a great place to work.
Editor's note: The IKEA statistical data highlighted in this news release and provided to Working Mother magazine represents figures from the company's fiscal year 2002 when IKEA had 5,409 U.S. co-workers on staff. Currently, IKEA has approximately 6,500 co-workers in the United States.
Since its founding in 1943, IKEA has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good
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