AstraZeneca Among Working Mother Magazine's 2009 'Best ...( WILMINGTON Del. Sept. 22 /-- ...),Health

WILMINGTON, Del., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --- AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) has been recognized as one of the 2009 Working Mother 100 Best Companies for the eighth consecutive year. This award acknowledges the company's commitment to family-friendly policies that support employee retention, employee engagement, and career advancement.

This year, the company was recognized specifically for its best practices in parental leave and training and development. AstraZeneca provides each eligible employee with up to 52 weeks of combined paid and unpaid leave, 26 weeks of which is job guaranteed, to care for their newborn child, adopted or foster child. The company also offers paid adoption leave.

In training and development, the company expanded the IDEA program, which provides short term development opportunities to enable individuals to develop new skills and explore alternate careers through work experience in different areas within the company while staying in their current position. The program matches employees who want to learn and have skills to share with host project managers.

"AstraZeneca strives to create an inclusive culture of innovation and opportunity to help employees manage the growing demands of work and personal life," says Marta Brito Perez, Vice President, Human Resources, North America & Global Marketing. "This recognition from Working Mother magazine underscores our commitment to the health and welfare of our employees."

Additional programs the company offers include:

• Childcare and eldercare resources, services and discounts
• Flexible work arrangements
• Work/life seminars
• Employee Assistance Program providing confidential, personal support, resources and referrals
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