Monsanto employees who need help getting fit, managing a disease or handling stress can call a free health or lifestyle coach anytime, day or night.

First laugh, first step, first word. No parent wants to miss these milestones of a baby's development, which is why this agricultural company offers them the option of applying for a year of job-guaranteed time off after their 12-week birth or adoption leave. To prevent money worries, the company pays birth moms' full salary for six weeks and gives adoptive parents $7,500 to cover expenses. When the year ends, moms and dads may enroll in the Return to Work program (launched last year) and consult with a work-life coach to get help transitioning back. Employees who need more time off can apply for contract work through the Resource Re-entry Center, which can lead to reclaiming permanent gigs. Moms who breast feed appreciate that every new and renovated building has a lactation room on each floor; there's even one at the child-care facility at headquarters, which serves 165 kids ages 6 weeks to 6 years. During their downtime, parents use its resource library and enrichment programs.

CEO Hugh Grant

SVP, HR Steve Mizell

Women managers, senior managers and corporate execs 29%

Women among top earners 21%

Women on board of directors 18%

Women corporate executive hires in 2009 0%  

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year* 6%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year* Private  

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

Do formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance? Yes

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