With three wellness clinics at its New Jersey sites, and medical coverage for anyone who works 20 hours per week, this health insurer is a good bet for busy moms. Those who are expecting a baby can take part in Precious Additions, a program with pregnancy-related health counseling; birth mothers get eight partially paid weeks off to recuperate, while new dads and adoptive parents earn two paid weeks off and $5,000 in adoption aid (or $6,000, if their child has special needs). Breastfeeding is encouraged by six on-site lactation rooms with comfortable chairs, refrigerators and reading material. At least 10% of the company has an official flex schedule, but most people informally adjust their hours. Employees earn 19 to 35 paid days off annually for sick, vacation, personal or family time, plus 11 holidays.

President & CEO Robert A. Marino

Senior VP, HR Margaret Coons

Women managers/execs 69% 

Women among top earners 59% 

Women hires in 2010 72% 

Average weeks of fully paid maternity leave offered 2 

Allows new moms to “phase back” into work with reduced hours? No

Offers affinity group for new mothers? No

Offers backup childcare? Yes

Employees working flexibly Not tracked

In its Laughter is the Best Medicine workshop, employees of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey learn how giggles can reduce stress.

Starting the week on a high note is easy at this health insurer, thanks to Monday Morning Leadership, a four-month training and peer-mentoring program for managers and team leaders in each business unit. For entry-level and middle managers with particular talent, there is an eight-month development program that offers coaching and classroom instruction; last year 73% of participants were women. Moms benefit from an educational assistance program that pays for up to four college courses annually. They also take advantage of the child-care center at headquarters, which tends to infants, toddlers and preschool kids and provides backup, vacation and school-holiday care for those ages 6 to 12. (Subsidized backup care is available at three other sites.) Work-life seminars cover "The Challenges of Single Parenting‚" and "Holiday Harmony for Families.‚"

President & CEO William J. Marino

VP, HR Margaret Coons

Women managers, senior managers and corporate execs 66%

Women among top earners 57%

Women on board of directors 7%

Women corporate executive hires in 2009 0%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year* 1%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year* N/A  

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement Not tracked  

Do formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance? No

*Percentages reflect number of women participants versus company’s total female workforce.