Grant Thornton’s use of videoconferencing has doubled since 2005, making it easier for employee parents to avoid exhausting business trips.

Missing your baby’s first smile or the first time she rolls over can be tough on a parent—so it’s no wonder moms were thrilled when they heard that this Chicago based professional services firm was expanding parental leave to seven months (up from four) last year. The leave is job-guaranteed, with eight weeks fully paid for birthmoms and primary adoptive caregivers and two paid for fathers— also significant upgrades from the year before. To help parents cover the legal, medical and court fees that come with adoption, the firm offers a $10,000 benefit. In a recent survey, 79% of employees said they had the freedom to leave the office whenever necessary.

CEO: Edward Nusbaum

Chief HR Officer: Anne M. Lang

Women managers/execs: 40%

Women among top earners: 30%

Women on board of directors: 17%

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 18%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 36%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: 15%

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement: 7%

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: Yes