$280,000 is how much Abbott parents saved last year with discounts at U.S. child-care centers.

This pharmaceutical firm strives to support working parents throughout their children’s lives. Mothers-to-be receive infertility counseling and prenatal breastfeeding education, while those who’ve given birth, used a surrogate or adopted receive up to six weeks of fully paid maternity leave. Back at the office, breastfeeding staffers can access “lactation stations,” phone 24-hour nursing consultants and receive discounts on pumps, diaper bags and baby formula to help ease their financial burden. A massive on-site child-care center at the firm’s Abbott Park, IL, headquarters looks after kids from birth through kindergarten. All parents receive discounts at more than 2,600 U.S. child-care centers (generating a total of $280,000 in savings last year) and can stash cash in a pretax childcare account to help pay for it. Coaching on securing scholarships is available to staffers with older kids.

Chairman & CEO: Miles D. White

Senior VP, HR: Stephen Fussell

Women managers/execs: 41%

Women among top earners: 35%

Women on board of directors: 14%

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 0%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 58%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: 34%

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement: 97%

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: Yes