100 BEST COMPANIES
Abbott
HALL OF FAME 25
Abbott Park, IL
Chairman & CEO Miles D. White
Executive VP, HR Stephen Fussell
Many mothers launch major careers at this healthcare company, where leaders set goals around hiring and advancing women; in 2016, 47% of all employees in management roles were female. Senior executives are held accountable for helping women succeed, and the execs’ bonuses are impacted by how well the women do. Moms rave about the support they’ve received when faced with personal challenges (a child’s surgery, a cancer diagnosis, the loss of a spouse), adding that managers have helped them reduce their hours, work remotely and compress their schedules. The on-site childcare center at HQ helps too, serving 471 kids and charging sliding-scale fees.
AbbVie
North Chicago, IL
Chairman & CEO Richard Gonzalez
Senior VP, HR Timothy Richmond
Growing rapidly, the Women Leaders in Action network run by this biopharmaceutical company boasts nearly 1,400 members (up from 1,000 in 2015); within the past year alone, it has piloted mentoring circles, spawned numerous development workshops and introduced an executive-leadership series. The company’s decision to track diversity metrics shines an additional spotlight on female employees. To ensure women get prime opportunities, it has trained 1,000 managers to root out any underlying bias. In some business functions, moms living far from HQ can stretch themselves by applying for short-term “relocations” there and using telecommuting options.
Accenture
HALL OF FAME
New York, NY
CEO—North America Julie Sweet
Chief Leadership & HR Officer Ellyn Shook
Working flexibly is a way of life for employees at this professionalservices company: In 2016, 85% of them telecommuted or worked remotely, while 80% adjusted their schedules at some point. Its ingenious SmartWork program helps them further explore alternative arrangements and reduces the need for travel. Everyone gets 18 to 27 days of Paid Time Off per year, plus a floating holiday and five unpaid days to use as they like; sabbaticals and job-guaranteed leaves are available. Videoconferencing makes meetings flexible for parents, and is so common that the company spends 9 million minutes doing it each month.
Adobe Systems
San Jose, CA
President & CEO Shantanu Narayen
Executive VP, Customer & Employee Experience Donna Morris
Making its list debut, this software company is a real wow. Birth mothers get 26 fully paid weeks off for maternity leave (or 16 for adoption, foster care and surrogacy), which helps retain nearly 90% of those who take it; transition plans and alternative work arrangements assist them when they come back. If they have children with special needs, they can find support in the employer’s AccessAdobe Network; live webinars spell out what to do for their kids’ education. Everyone gets $1,200 toward childcare costs annually; subsidized backup care is available 100 hours per year. Executive job shadowing, mentoring circles and leadership summits propel women.
Hall of Fame (at least 15 years on the list
The Advisory Board Company
Washington, DC
Chairman & CEO Robert Musslewhite
Chief Talent Officer Mary Van Hoose
Moms who work for this research, technology and consulting firm don’t have to spend hours scouring the Internet for answers to tricky parenting questions—they can simply ask their colleagues in a dedicated network for advice, consult with peers at luncheons for those with kids of similar age, or talk to the experts leading in-house workshops on childhood behavior. Firm support groups explore issues confronted by those who’ve adopted and/or are parenting kids with special needs. Maternity leave is fully paid for at least four weeks, followed by a two-week phase-back period at 100% salary. In 2016, 88% of employees used flexible work options.
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America
Golden Valley, MN
President & CEO Walter White
Senior VP & Chief HR Officer Suzanne Zeller
Helping employees in their time of need, this financial-services company sends a cash infusion to those affected by health issues, natural disasters, deaths in the family or other challenges that render them unable to meet their obligations. If they’re faced with truly extraordinary situations (house fires, medical emergencies) or grappling with family issues (ailing children or parents, the birth or adoption of a child), they can take at least 20 days off with pay beyond their regular Paid Time Off . The employer has also provided for those looking after older relatives, offering free eldercare consultations. Day-to-day life is aided by on-site amenities, which include a childcare center, fitness facility and an MBA program.
American Express
HALL OF FAME 25
New York, NY
Chairman & CEO Kenneth Chenault
Executive VP & Chief HR Officer Kevin Cox
Going back to school is tempting when you work for this financialservices company, where employees are eligible for up to $7,500 in tuition aid for graduate-school courses every year. More than 1,000 people take advantage of this perk annually; flexible work arrangements help them find time for class. Scholarships totaling up to $16,000 off set kids’ college costs; free financial coaching helps their parents figure out how to pay the balance. New moms now get 20 fully paid weeks off ; those who adopt, use a surrogate or try fertility treatments tap benefits worth $35,000.
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer
HALL OF FAME
Washington, DC
Executive Director Elizabeth Respess
Chief HR Officer Janet Robin
Handling a woman’s return to work after maternity leave is a delicate matter, especially at law firms, where new mothers who feel overcommitted might find it easier to just quit. At this firm, management goes out of its way to ensure that attorneys have everything they need after completing their 18 weeks off; in fact, the staff here prepares for the end of each woman’s leave at least a month ahead of time, offering them career counseling and alternative work schedules that make re-entry less challenging. Priority access to local childcare centers, free backup care and a family network welcome them back.
Astellas
Northbrook, IL
President, Americas Jim Robinson
Senior VP, HR & Facilities Management Collette Taylor
Positive buzz keeps women applying for jobs at this pharmaceutical company, where they made up 56% of all new hires in 2016 (including 52% of those at the manager level and above). Nearly half of its female workforce belongs to the Stellar Women resource group, the largest of its seven employee networks, which amplifies their access to mentoring and networking opportunities. Job rotations, alternative work arrangements and half-day Fridays (year-round) provide parents with flexibility. New moms get 10 fully paid weeks off; the cost of adopting a child (or an embryo!) is reimbursed.
A.T. Kearney
Chicago, IL
Managing Partner & Chairman Johan Aurik
Partner & Global HR Lead Phil Morgan
Moving abroad might seem like a pipe dream to most parents, but this management-consulting firm’s Global Mobility program will facilitate employee transfers to offices in other countries (which can accelerate promotion); management also provides relocation assistance and will help enroll children in new schools. Sponsorship by senior leaders ensures that female consultants everywhere get