Free phone-based health coaching provides Prudential families with support when they need to lose weight, quit smoking or improve overall wellness.

Flexible schedules have been used by employees at this Newark, NJ–based financial services firm for 30 years, but they got a boost in 2008 after new CEO John Strangfeld and his senior team rewrote their official diversity statement to include work/life balance and alternative arrangements. Soon, paper request forms were traded in for an online database where workers can easily apply for formal arrangements; and a website was built to list all options, policies and guidelines and provide links to the technology needed to go remote. For years, 90% of employees have flexed their hours, but usage of telecommuting, compressed workweeks, job-sharing and part-time work surged last year to 67% from 55% of the population, thanks in part to nine flex pilots in previously underserved areas.

Chairman & CEO: John Strangfeld

Senior VP, HR & Chair of the Prudential Foundation: Sharon Taylor

Women managers/execs: 50%

Women among top earners: 31%

Women on board of directors: 14%

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 50%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 32%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: 34%

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement: 90%

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: Yes