RACINE, WI - September 25, 2007 - SC Johnson employees certainly have reason to celebrate - especially the company's working parents and the over-50 crowd.

AARP named SC Johnson the number one company in the U.S. for workers over 50. And today, for the 19th time, Working Mother magazine named the 121-year old family owned-and-managed company among the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" upon releasing its 22nd annual compilation of "family-friendly" corporations.

"As a family company, creating a family-focused and inclusive work environment is simply who we are "“ and simply the right thing to do," said Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson. "These honors confirm the unique culture we have built is working. Working to uphold an environment where SC Johnson people can come to work every day knowing they will be treated with respect, integrity and fairness. We at SC Johnson applaud all the companies on these two prestigious lists who understand the importance of programs that put employees first."

AARP's Best Employer list recognizes companies for demonstrating exemplary practices in the recruitment, retention and promotion of mature workers. It also distinguishes companies that foster a workplace that supports the aging workforce and that encourages workers to remain active.

In compiling this year's list, Working Mother gave particular weight to flexibility and family-friendly policies. The magazine also looked closely at workforce profile, compensation, child-care and flexibility programs, leave policies and more.

"Part of caring about and investing in our employees is to listen to their needs," said Gayle Kosterman, SC Johnson's Executive Vice President "“ Worldwide Human Resources. "In doing so, we've implemented a wide-variety of programs to match with needs of varying life stages. These programs are appreciated by all and have helped to create a committed, energetic workplace."

Things Do Get Better With Age

AARP commended SC Johnson for creating a workplace of excellence by offering a variety of exceptional benefits including compressed work schedules, paid sabbaticals, summer hours, and a December "holiday shutdown." AARP noted the company's world-class fitness and aquatic center, which sits on more than 140 acres and offers everything from family picnic grounds to basketball to yoga. SC Johnson was also recognized for helping employees enhance their careers with an on-site education program that offers college credit.

SC Johnson's workforce includes a large percentage of seasoned workers. Approximately 35 percent of SC Johnson's U.S. workforce is 50 years or older. Approximately 28 percent of its managers and 38 percent of its executives are 50-plus.

To be considered for AARP's list, companies submit a comprehensive application that includes questions about their human resources practices and policies. Areas of consideration include recruiting practices, training, education, career development opportunities and flexible work arrangements. Retiree and health benefits are also considered.

Date Night at the Day Care and a Kitchen Takeover

Earlier this year, SC Johnson completed an expansion to the company's Childcare Learning Center "“ built in 1985 as one of the nation's first childcare centers for the exclusive use of its employees and their families. The 9,600 square foot addition helped to ensure that employees' children will not have to be placed on a waiting list. The 45,000 square foot facility provides full-time, part-time, drop-in care supervision, education and summer camp. The center goes that extra mile for mom and dad, offering babysitting opportunities like a "shopping day" or "date night" for parents who need to run errands or simply need some time alone.

SC Johnson's family-friendly benefits don't stop at the Childcare Learning Center or with the company's generous maternity/paternity leave policies "“ new moms can take up to six months off! Programs ranging from a vacation resort for employees and their families, to paid sabbaticals, to flexible work hours, to summer hours, to on-site concierge services are among the more popular with working parents.

"Every year our winning companies raise the bar for what it means to be an employer of choice for working families," said Carol Evans, CEO and President, Working Mother Media. "SC Johnson not only offers essential benefits like flextime and telecommuting "“ they go above and beyond with a range of best practices and policies to ease the difficulties for working parents and their families. Their supportive culture makes a huge difference to employees who want to be great moms and great workers."

Added Suzanne Riss, the editor-in-chief of Working Mother magazine, "As a working mother myself, I understand how absolutely essential it is for companies to find ways to nurture the personal and professional lives of employees. I commend SC Johnson for conceiving and effectively implementing programs and benefits that offer an inspiring paradigm for the rest of corporate America: it is possible to be both family-friendly and financially successful."

The announcement of the list follows a recent visit to SC Johnson by some of the Working Mother team. On September 18, South Beach Diet(R) foods from Kraft, together with Working Mother magazine and its prestigious 2007 "Best Places to Work for Women" list, 'took over' the Racine-based cafeterias at SC Johnson for a day. South Beach Diet(R) foods from Kraft stocked the company's cafeterias full of satisfying and convenient food options in an effort to show the company's employees how easy it can be to make healthier food choices during the work week.

SC Johnson was selected for the 2007 Working Mother 100 Best Companies based on an extensive application of 575 questions. Seven areas were measured and scored: workforce profile, compensation, child care, flexibility, time off and leaves, family-friendly programs, and company culture. The application checked the usage, availability and tracking of programs, as well as the accountability of managers who oversee them.

The 100 best companies will be honored in October during a special ceremony at the Work/Life Congress event in New York City. The complete list of the 2007 Working Mother 100 Best Companies can be found at www.workingmother.com With nearly three million monthly readers, Working Mother magazine is the only national magazine for career mothers.

A History of Workplace Excellence

In addition to recent honors from AARP and Working Mother magazine, SC Johnson has long been recognized as an employer of choice. Earlier this year, SC Johnson was named for the third consecutive year to the top ten on FORTUNE magazine's list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For in America." The company also was named to the "Corporate 100" list of top companies for Latinos by Hispanic magazine and has been recognized as a noteworthy company for diversity by DiversityInc.

SC Johnson is a family-owned and managed business dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, personal care and insect control. It markets such well-known brands as EDGE(R), GLADE(R), OFF!(R), PLEDGE(R), RAID(R), SCRUBBING BUBBLES(R), SHOUT(R), WINDEX(R) and ZIPLOC(R) in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN(R), BAYGON(R), BRISE(R), ECHO(R), KABIKILLER(R), KLEAR(R), and MR. MUSCLE(R). The 121-year old company, with over $7.5 billion in sales, employs approximately 12,000 people globally and sells products in more than 110 countries. www.scjohnson.com

SC Johnson

SC Johnson

SC Johnson is a family-owned and managed business dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, and insect control.

 

It markets well-known brands such as GLADE®, OFF!®, PLEDGE®, RAID®, SCRUBBING BUBBLES®, SHOUT®, WINDEX® and ZIPLOC® in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN®, BAYGON®, BRISE®, KABIKILLER®, KLEAR®, and MR. MUSCLE®. The 125-year-old company, with more than $8 billion in sales, employs approximately 12,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world. www.scjohnson.com

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