By George Anderson
Federated Department Stores, Liz Claiborne, Gap Inc,. Colgate-Palmolive, General Mills, IBM and Procter & Gamble are the top 30 companies for executive women, according to an annual poll by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE).
"Because women now hold managerial positions at most American companies, women's advancement remains a problem that many don't recognize as one," said Dr. Betty Spence, President of NAFE, in a released statement. "In organizations where women are truly succeeding - where we find women running divisions and country operations - they have implemented tough measures, like having the board review succession planning and compensation for gender equity, and holding managers accountable with their own advancement and pay. These are policies with teeth, and I look forward to the day when all companies follow the lead of the NAFE Top 30."
The NAFE reports that leading companies in its polling share common best practices, including: conducting employee surveys to determine satisfaction with advancement opportunities; reviewing compensation data based on gender; making changes to policies and practices based on survey results; rewarding managers for helping women to advance their careers and holding them responsible for not.
Federated Department Stores was among the top retailers recognized by the NAFE.
"We are proud of the women represented at all levels of Macy's and Bloomingdale's, from the senior-most P&L positions and other key decision-making roles to our sales associates," said Corliss Fong, operating vice president for diversity management at Federated in a released statement. "These women are essential to our success in the marketplace: in providing the best shopping experience for our customers, creating the best work environment for our employees, and inspiring the best results for our business."
According to a company release, women account for about 70 percent of all management positions with the department store operator and more than half of senior management is made up of females.
Moderator's Comment: How much progress has been made at retail in removing the glass ceiling? Do retailers with broad female participation in all levels of management have an advantage in attracting and keeping women shoppers as customers?
According to the NAFE, women make up less than two percent of CEOs and ten percent of line managers in Fortune 500 companies. - George Anderson - Moderator