Four Virginia companies named best for working mothers

Four Virginia companies have been named to Working Mother magazine’s 100 Best Companies list.

The Virginia-based companies recognized for their policies include Freddie Mac, Capital One Financial Corp., Booz Allen Hamilton and Bon Secours Virginia Health System.

Freddie Mac, a mortgage finance company headquartered in McLean, was recognized for its leadership and mentoring programs, educational coverage, child-care options and on-site wellness center. In 2013, 84 percent of female employees were allowed to telecommute at some point with the use of company technology that forwards office calls and allows intranet instant messaging.

Bon Secours Virginia Health System, which includes hospitals in Richmond and Hampton Roads, allows employees to use the system’s family health insurance and offers discounts on in-home elder care and pediatric sick care. Three on-site centers in Richmond offer child care, while Hampton Roads facilities offer parenting groups and educational programs for children.

Government contractor Booz Allen Hamilton, based in McLean, was recognized for a new program that allows employees to trade up to 80 hours of paid time off for cash or donate it to colleagues in need. If necessary, employees can borrow from their retirement plans  without penalty.

Capital One Financial, based in McLean also, was recognized for its adoption aid of $10,000 per child and for removing its annual coverage limit on infertility treatments. Pregnant moms can earn $200 in incentives for joining a maternity management program and receive eight paid weeks off when they give birth.

Working Mother’s Best Companies list is based on leave policies, benefits, work-force representation, childcare, advancement programs and flexibility policies. This year’s list gave a larger weight for companies’ representation of women, flexible schedules and advancement programs.