McKinsey & Co. employees can take a one-year leave of absence to explore their personal interests (language study, athletic training, time with family, and more).

Alternative work arrangements have always been this management consulting firm’s strong suit; all of its employees adjust their hours on a regular basis, and nearly everyone telecommutes when needed. In 2010, the firm intensified its support for such options by appointing partner lisa ellis (who once worked part-time herself) as its new “flexibility champion.” In this role, the mother of three offers guidance to consultants with formal flex schedules and maintains a dialogue with the firm’s leadership about the best ways to serve them. To encourage more employees to investigate flex, the firm has expanded its training around the issue, enhanced its flex website and released a book on flex users. These efforts are critical to helping working mothers rise; so is the firm’s generous tuition aid, which reimbursed users an average of $14,500 last year.

Managing Director Dominic Barton

Director Michelle Jarrard

Women managers/execs 29% 

Women among top earners 22% 

Women hires in 2010 32% 

Average weeks of fully paid maternity leave offered 14 

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

Offers affinity group for new mothers? Yes

Offers backup childcare? Yes

Employees working flexibly 100%