Ernst & Young’s new Inclusiveness Leadership program provides its high-performing women with formal mentoring, coaching and development plans.

With 75% of its employees working out of client offices, this professional services firm offers scheduling freedom to those who pursue it. For parents, telecommuting and flextime are de rigueur, and at least 11% of workers use a formal flex arrangement. To enhance their freedom, the firm just installed iPass software on all employee laptops, providing a free connection to the intranet from anywhere–even the playground. Spreading the word that it's possible to advance while raising kids are partners and senior managers on reduced schedules, who travel within their business units sharing stories of success. Women are glad to hear it, especially since they now make up 38% of new partner promotions. Full-time salaried employees receive at least three paid weeks of vacation and three paid personal days; after a birth, women receive 22 job-guaranteed weeks off, with full pay for 14 weeks.

Global Chairman & CEO James S. Turley

Americas Inclusiveness Officer Billie Williamson

Women managers, senior managers and corporate execs 44%

Women among top earners 36%

Women on board of directors 26%

Women corporate executive hires in 2009 24%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year* 90%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year* 16%

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement 7%

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

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