EMPLOYEES 16,865 WOMEN 8,977 WOMEN LEADERS 600 WOMEN IN TOP 20% BY PAY 1,297 WOMEN ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS 16
FLEX APPEAL It seems appropriate that Harvard's new president is a mom, given how well this university's flex practices pass the work/life test. More than 22% of employees flexed their hours last year, while many others worked from home, job-shared or opted for compressed weeks. Part-time schedules were a big hit, too—more than 20% of staffers used them, and had to log just 17.5 hours a week to qualify for health benefits.
CHILD-CARE KUDOS The university announced $7.5 million in new funding for work/life programs in 2006. Much of the money will go to improving child-care options, which currently include six on-site and two near-site centers. A newly expanded needs-based financial aid program distributes $2 million to employees annually to help them fund day-to-day and backup care, as well as summer camp or in-home providers. Business-travel child care is reimbursed, too.
LEAVES WE LOVE New moms receive one week of additional leave beyond FMLA and are partially paid for 12 weeks of their time off. Dads and adoptive parents can take either four weeks of partially paid leave or one week at full salary.
STRESS SOLUTIONS When employees feel harried, they can simply stop by University Health Services for a rubdown; a masseuse can also be dispatched for a ten-minute in-office session with groups of coworkers. Classes in meditation, yoga and knitting further soothe staffers.