Parents who need significant time off to care for sick kids can take job-guaranteed leaves of absence and still retain full benefits.

In the manufacturing world, tight production schedules can make flexibility difficult to realize. But at this Wilmington, DE–based scientific products company, workers are increasingly being encouraged to switch shifts, compress their schedules or flex their hours as needed. In a recent staff survey, nearly half of all employees said they use a regular flexible arrangement, while most professional workers have been given the technology they need to work remotely. Leading by example are the directors of the part-time employee network, the majority of whom have worked reduced schedules for more than ten years. All new parents may request 24 weeks off to welcome a new addition to their families; birthmoms receive six weeks fully paid, while adoptive moms get four paid weeks, plus $3,000 in assistance.

CEO: Ellen Kullman

Director, HR, U.S. Region: Debra Alesantrino

Women managers/execs: 28%

Women among top earners: 23%

Women on board of directors: 25%

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 0%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 27%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: 20%

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement: 40%

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: No