Vanguard Communications Selected Among Working Mother’s ‘25 best small companies’.

Hispanic-woman owned Vanguard Communications is recognized as one of the 2006 Working Mother Best Small Companies in the April issue of the magazine. Vanguard, based in Washington, D.C., was selected for its “innovative, family-friendly workplace practices that women value” in Working Mother’s inaugural recognition program.

“Vanguard’s work has focused heavily on youth- and family-centered advocacy programs over the course of our 19-year history. It’s important to us that those policies are also part of our workplace,” said Vanguard co-founder and President Maria Rodriguez. “We want to provide a work environment that values and respects our staff and their families.”

At Vanguard, new moms and dads are encouraged to bring their babies to work for months after they’re born. Once newborns are mobile, parents are offered flex-time to help manage child care — a policy open to all staff after one year of service. Parents with school-age children are able to telecommute on days when schools are closed due to snow or holidays, as well as when unexpected family emergencies make it hard for working moms and dads to come to the office. If telecommuting is not possible due to work demands, parents are invited to bring their children to work on days when school is closed.

Working Mother magazine selected small companies — defined as employing between 5 and 100 workers — based on a review of work/life benefits, entrepreneurial spirit and programs to help women advance. Vanguard was one of 25 companies chosen from nearly 250 nominations received by the magazine. Working Mother editors described Vanguard’s benefits: “With a focus on advocacy for women and children, this PR company walks the walk when it comes to its own employee benefits.”