In 2009, all Discovery Communications employees earned a year-end incentive bonus; a recognition program gave cash and gifts to 1,000+ workers.

Moms cherish this media company's family-friendly atmosphere. If they have a baby, they can take nine fully paid weeks off to bond and enjoy; new fathers and adoptive parents receive three fully paid weeks off. If they need help during maternity leave, they may request the services of an in-home caregiver for $6 per hour. And when they're ready to go back to work, they can reduce their hours for up to four weeks, with no loss in benefits. It's estimated that half of all workers rely on a regular flexible schedule, but the vast majority also employ such arrangements casually. Anyone who works at least 20 hours per week earns health insurance, and there's free primary care at headquarters and in New York City and Miami. For a small fee, a concierge service will tackle parents' to-do lists.

President & CEO David Zaslav

VP, Global Lifeworks & Diversity Evelyne Steward

Women managers, senior managers and corporate execs 52%

Women among top earners 55%

Women on board of directors 0%

Women corporate executive hires in 2009 33%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year* 21%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year* 100%

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.