Principal Financial Group Inc. has earned the No. 1 spot on the list of America’s Best Employers for Women conducted annually by Forbes. Principal was one of two Iowa-based employers on the list, which included 300 organizations across the country in multiple industries. 

Nearly 6 out of 10 of Principal’s 9,978 U.S. employees are women, and the Des Moines-based financial services company excels in providing a culture that helps to attract and retain them, according to Forbes. 

“While benefits such as flexible work schedules, prenatal care programs and an onsite childcare center help Principal Financial attract female employees, it’s the company’s commitment to equality that retains them,” the article said. 

Among its best practices, Principal has established three women’s networks for those in leadership, technology and sales roles. In addition to focusing on career development, the groups also address ways women and men can support each other in the workplace. 

Women hold 42 percent of executive roles and 45 percent of the seats on the board of directors at Principal, in comparison with a much lower average at Standard & Poor’s 500 companies — 26.5 percent and 21.2 percent, respectively. 

Also on the list from Iowa is University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, which was ranked at No. 98. 

To determine the list, Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to survey 40,000 Americans, including 25,000 women, working for businesses with at least 1,000 employees. All the surveys were anonymous, allowing participants to openly share their opinions.

Respondents were first asked to rate their organizations on criteria such as working conditions, diversity and how likely they’d be to recommend their employer to others. The responses were also reviewed and adjusted for potential gender gaps. 

Statista then asked female respondents to rate their employers on factors such as parental leave, discrimination and pay equity. These respondents were also asked to nominate organizations in industries outside their own. The final list ranks the 300 employers that both received the most recommendations and boast the most gender diverse boards and executive ranks.