Helping moms achieve a balance between their personal and professional lives is important to this pharmaceutical firm. After surveys revealed that its employees desired more emphasis on work life balance, it reviewed its procedures and began taking aggressive steps to root out low-value, time-wasting work. Managers prioritized assignments, streamlined their teams’ daily routines and scheduled workplace discussions with direct reports. The CONNECT Mentoring program, which facilitates career growth for women and people of color, was introduced; initiatives to help employees relax sprang up, from lunch-and-learns on handling stress to fitness and meditation sessions. Special events for women, parents and caregivers allowed moms to bond.

President, AstraZeneca U.S. & Regional VP, North America Richard Fante  

VP, HR North America Jayne Stanier

Women managers/execs 48% 

Women among top earners 39% 

Women hires in 2010 54% 

Average weeks of fully paid maternity leave offered 6 

Allows new moms to “phase back” into work with reduced hours? Yes

Offers affinity group for new mothers? No

Offers backup childcare? Yes

Employees working flexibly 66%