General Mills Overview

We continually set targets for bettering the nutritional profile of our foods, and we keep addressing social and environmental challenges.

Our goal is to be among the most socially responsible food companies in the world.

Of course, General Mills makes annual financial contributions of about 5 percent of our pretax profits, with these funds awarded to philanthropic and charitable causes. The total was $90.7 million in fiscal year 2009 - an average of more than $1.5 million each week.

Third-party recognition
Such efforts have been recognized by third-party groups.

For the third time in four years, General Mills is among the top 10 in Corporate Responsiblity magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." We were No. 2 in 2009 and No. 3 in 2010. The ranking is regarded as the top corporate responsibility ranking based on publicly available information.

We also made three other prestigous top 10 rankings in 2009:

• The Reputation Institute ranked us as the fourth most respected company in the United States.
• The Harris Interactive's Annual Reputation Quotient survey ranked us No. 8.
• Working Mother magazine installed us in its "hall of fame" and named us to its top 10 list of best companies. That marked the 15th straight year that we were included among Working Mother's top 100 companies.

Our goal is to continue to "do well" for our shareholders, customers, community and our planet.

General Mills encourages diversity, across its supply chain and  throughout society.

We purchase from minority- and women-owned suppliers, opening avenues of opportunity in the marketplace.

And our community activities support innovative organizations serving diverse audiences.

General Mills supports 17 employee networks and diversity councils.

They include the:

• Black Champions Network
• American Indian Council
• Hispanic Network
• Asian Heritage Network
• South Asian American Network
• Betty’s Family GLBT Network
• 10 Women’s Network Groups and a Women’s Officers group

At the end of fiscal 2009, 19.6 percent of our employees were minorities, a slight increase from 2008. Fourteen percent of management-level positions are held by minorities, and 21 percent of promotions went to minorities in 2009.

Women make up 47.6 percent of our U.S. salaried work force, 36 percent of our management positions and 52 percent of promotions.

Our benefits program, Total Rewards, covers basics such as medical and dental insurance, stock options and a 401(k) retirement plan.

Competitive salary and annual bonus 
We reward hard work with competitive salaries and annual bonuses for those who meet our ambitious goals. Salaries are reviewed annually with increases based on your performance and the external market value of your position.

Annual cash bonuses are based on employee performance coupled with the company's performance, and in some cases, their business unit's performance.

Medical and dental
General Mills offers medical and dental benefits for employees and their eligible dependents on the first day of employment. Coverage is available to employees in all locations and to their same-sex domestic partners.

Retirement and savings plans
Eligibility for the General Mills 401(k) savings plan starts when you start with the company.

Options include: 

• A pension plan and retiree medical plan are available to eligible employees.

  Investing 1 to 30 percent of your pay. General Mills will match a portion of your contribution with a potential additonal match based on the company’s annual performance.
• Choice of managed investment funds plus individual stocks, bonds and mutual funds outside the funds offered by the company.
• A loan feature is available before retirement.

Stock options and ownership
Employees can share in our successes by owning a portion of the company. The company match in the 401(k) is in company stock, and our voluntary stock purchase program allows another opportunity for ownership.

Annual stock option grants are available to some management-level employees.

Insurance
We offer life, long-term care, legal, auto and homeowners insurance, plus company-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.

We provide mortgage counseling and assistance for selling your house and purchasing a new home.

Educational assistance
Want to continue your education? We reimburse employees for job-related courses, and you’ll find educational loans and scholarship opportunities for employees and family members. You may be eligible for an unpaid leave of absence to further your education.

Domestic partner benefits
Medical and dental coverage, life insurance, and auto and homeowner's insurance are available to same-sex domestic partners of General Mills employees.
 

General Mills provides programs and benefits to help you balance the demands of work and your life outside of work.

Vacation, holidays and summer hours
New employees receive three weeks of vacation annually, pro-rated during the first year based on your hire date. Vacation time increases as you work with us.

General Mills doesn’t just provide paid holidays. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Minneapolis employees may take advantage of summer hours. You can choose to work longer Monday through Thursday and a half-day on Friday.

Flexible work arrangements
Flexible work schedules such as telecommuting, flextime and part-time employment are available where business conditions allow.

Parenting benefits
General Mills offers maternity leave benefits to birth mothers and also provides benefits to new fathers and adopting parents.

• New fathers are eligible for two weeks of paid leave.
• Employees who are adopting are eligible for two weeks of paid leave.

We reimburse adoption expenses up to $10,000.

General Mills Federal Credit Union
Employees and their families are eligible for complete banking and financial services from the General Mills Federal Credit Union, which was established in 1935.

Education and referral services
Our nationwide education and referral program provides information and resources on important subjects such as child care, adoption information, elder care and more.

Jennifer Peterson

Marketing, Consumer Insights, Human Resources, Legal, Director & above searches

Jennifer.Peterson@genmills.com

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Rebecca Warren

IS, Retail Sales, Communications, Sourcing, Corporate, Global Business Solutions

Rebecca.Warren@genmills.com

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Sharon DeTaeye

Plant Manufacturing, Engineering, Plant Leadership, Research & Development

Sharon.DeTaeye@genmills.com