$10,000 in assistance is the amount Bain & Co. employees are eligible to receive each time they adopt a child.

Both mentoring and networking are highly valued by this Boston-based management consulting firm, which assigns all employees an advisor, brings together junior and senior consultants to share strategies and sponsors a biannual Global Women’s Summit for senior women. Some 80% of the firm’s female partners have worked part-time at least once in their careers here, and increasingly managers are required to be in the office just four days a week. The firm recently introduced job-sharing, though it’s still establishing how to divide positions that rely on a personal connection with a client. Staffers with career wanderlust can tap the new Take-2 program, which offers two unpaid months to pursue personal goals. Those who find themselves struggling with family matters may take up to two paid weeks off.

Worldwide Managing Director: Steve Ellis

Partner & Chief Talent Officer: Russ Hagey

Women managers/execs: 36%

Women among top earners: 17%

Women on board of directors: N/A

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 14%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 100%

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

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement: 3%

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: No