"Hey, boss, I dropped my kids across the hall at day care and I’m borrowing that canoe for the morning." Such a statement should not surprise supervisors at Timberland’s headquarters in Stratham, New Hampshire. The company’s benefits include on-site day care, flextime, and free loans of outdoor equipment (canoes, kayaks and snowshoes). Founded in 1978, Timberland designs and markets rugged footwear and outdoor apparel. Timberland has more than 5000 employees worldwide, approximately half of the employees are women.

Timberland is one of two Innovations companies to earn a spot on Working Mother magazine’s 2004 list of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers." According to the report, the CEO is a flextime beneficiary, often leaving early on Fridays. Working Mother noted that the company offers $10,000 for adoption aid, and provides subsidies, as needed, for its on-site childcare. Timberland also offers domestic partner benefits.

For several years in a row, the company has also been named in Fortune magazine’s annual list of "100 Best Companies to Work For," ranking #50 in 2004. According to Fortune, employees receive approximately 30 hours of professional training per year. The magazine noted that Timberland’s rate of voluntary turnover is 17 percent per year, not bad given the company’s exposure to the cyclical retail business, and an improvement over years past.

Timberland’s benefits have boosted its strong reputation for commitment to community. Employees receive up to 40 paid volunteer hours a year, and are also eligible for six months of full-pay "social service leave." On several occasions, including its 25^th anniversary, Timberland has closed its offices and mobilized its employees to perform community service projects throughout New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts.

As one of five "national leadership sponsors" of the City Year program, which served as a model for President Clinton’s Americorps volunteer service initiative, Timberland helps create community service opportunities for inner-city high school graduates. Upon completion of the City Year program, participants receive a scholarship grant to assist with their college education. Timberland contributes more than $1 million per year to City Year.

Timberland reports on its activities using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines –a standardized format welcomed by Walden. Walden was provided an opportunity to comment on the report and addressed the need for increased clarity of its reporting on the environmental and social aspects of its leather tanneries. Its supplier standards also require additional scrutiny.

According to CEO & President Jeffrey Swartz: "At Timberland we act on the belief that doing well and doing good are not separate activities. In fact, our commitment to social justice is a part of how we can earn our living. It's how we provide distinction for our customers. It's how we recruit top talent. Finally, it's how we create real, sustainable change in our communities and choose to compete in the world."

Walden concurs that, in order to attract and retain the best employees, companies must offer comprehensive and innovative benefits and work-life balance programs. We believe benefits such as telecommuting, flextime or on-site childcare can boost employee morale and productivity, and lower turnover costs.