What We Love
The opening of a $38 million LifeConnections facility last November in San Jose, CA, brought applause from parents who work for this tech giant. Uniting child care, medical and fitness centers under one enormous roof, the facility offers a wealth of services to the 52% of workers who live near headquarters. Full-time childcare is available for 400 employee kids, while their mothers can enjoy a 48,000-square-foot gym and a convenient walk-in doctor’s office that provides everything from pediatric checkups to physical therapy. Of course, moms don’t have to work at the office. In fact, 85% of employees flexed their hours or worked off-site last year, leading management to formalize such arrangements. A pilot program now allows staffers with workplace difficulties to videoconference with a career coach.

Chairman & CEO: John Chambers

Senior VP, HR: Brian Schipper

Women managers/execs: 22%

Women among top earners: 17%

Women on board of directors: 17%

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 28%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the last year: 30%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: 35%

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement: 1%

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: No