Parents at this infrastructure, finance and media company cheered the recent news that it would be granting two fully paid weeks off to all new parents. (Those who celebrated a child’s arrival in 2011 were also thrilled to learn that the policy was retroactive.) Now dads and adoptive parents can take compensated leave for the first time, while moms will enjoy eight fully paid weeks off, up from six. To defray employees’ adoption expenses, the company also doubled its per-child adoption benefit from $4,000 to $8,000. Working parents don’t have to struggle to stay in shape; a new eight-week fitness program with personal trainers creates customized workout plans for employees. The BMI Challenge, just introduced by affinity network African-American Forum, saw 100 teams competing to shape up and win lavish trips to Canyon Ranch Spa in Arizona.

Chairman & CEO Jeffrey Immelt

Senior VP, HR John Lynch

Women managers/execs 24%

Women hires in 2011 28%

Average weeks of fully paid maternity leave offered 4

Offers paid paternity leave? No

Offers paid adoption leave? No

Women in affinity groups in 2011 80%

Offers backup child care? Yes

Employees working flexibly 75%