Free online tutoring services make it easier for Northern Trust employees to help their children with difficult homework assignments.

Just having someone to talk to comforted employees of this financial services giant last year, as recession fears prompted many to reach out to its confidential counselors and call its resource and referral line for legal and financial advice. The Chicago-based firm did its part to reassure families by continuing to provide generous benefits, including seven partially paid weeks of job-guaranteed time off for new moms and one paid week off for dads and adoptive parents. Employees feel secure knowing that they can turn to the on-site childcare center at headquarters (where a quarter of the spaces are subsidized for employees with household incomes less than $45,000) or access inexpensive holiday camps for school-age kids.

President & CEO: Rick Waddell

VP, Manager of Employee Services: Jeanne Ulatowski

Women managers/execs: 52%

Women among top earners: 27%

Women on board of directors: 14%

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 0%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 31%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: 32%

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement: 20%

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: Yes