Press Release

GM Says It Is One of the Best Companies for Working Mothers

09/19/96

GM Among Best Companies for Working Mothers


DETROIT, Sept. 17 -- Family-oriented benefits, flexible
work arrangements, and above-average pay were among the factors in
General Motors Corporation being selected as one of the 100
Best Companies for Working Mothers for 1996 by Working Mother
magazine.  It was the third consecutive year GM made the list.

Working Mother evaluates companies according to pay, opportunities for
women to advance, support for child care, flexibility, and
family-friendly benefits (such as leave for childbirth, adoption aid
and older care resource and referral). The magazine noted the United
Auto Workers union's role in recognizing the need for family-friendly
benefits for its members as well, saying that UAW-represented
employees gained access to an elder care resource and referral
service, formerly available only to salaried employees.

"In addition to continuing family-friendly benefits for salaried
employees, General Motors has worked cooperatively with the unions
representing its workforce in identifying benefits better aligned with
today's family lifestyles, including the unique problems faced by
women in the workforce," said Gerald A. Knechtel, GM vice president of
North American Operations Personnel. "We are very pleased to be
recognized for our efforts by Working Mother magazine for the third
year in a row."

Knechtel cited as examples of cooperation with the unions the UAW-GM
Child Care Resource and Referral Program arrangements at GM facilities
which increased from 29 sites in 1994 to 42 sites today. Also, an
hourly elder care resource and referral service piloted for the first
time at six locations resulted in 172 referrals in 1995.

GM indicated that 731 salaried employees, 673 of whom were women, took
advantage of its family leave benefit in 1995 with an average leave of
130 days. Approximately 450 employees participated in part-time
employment at GM in 1995. The corporation's salaried employment
policies also allow job sharing, flextime and telecommunicating
options on a mutually agreeable basis allowing salaried employees
alternatives to balance work and family responsibilities. No records
are kept to indicate the number of employees taking advantage of these
flexibility programs, however.