Sara Lee starts return-to-work internships

CHICAGO, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Illinois food giant Sara Lee has launched a recruitment program for people who have left the work force in mid-career and wish to return, the company said.

The company announced an intern program called Returnships @ Sara Lee, designed to "appeal to professionals who are interested in rejoining the corporate world and contributing their expertise."

The program is a "win-win" for the company and those who took leaves from their corporate careers, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brenda Barnes said in a statement. The program offers "flexible work arrangements on a trial basis, while at the same time allowing Sara Lee to tap into a deep talent pool of under-utilized professionals," Barnes said.

The program is expected to start with 20 to 25 slots open in the Chicago area in Sara Lee's marketing, legal and other departments, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Barnes' career included a highly publicized departure from the corporate world. In 1997, she quit her job as president and CEO of PepsiCo North America. She returned to the corporate world in a big way, however, taking her current position at Sara Lee in 2004, the Sun-Times reported.