What We Love
Founded in 1824 by French nuns who ministered to the sick and dying, this Richmond, VA–based health-care system is committed to respecting and accommodating the caregivers it employs. To assist the sandwich generation, it offers three on-site child-care centers, which serve 575 children, ages 6 weeks through 12 years, plus ten annual visits by a nurse to the home of a sick child or elder relative, subsidized at half the cost. Working parents seeking greater flexibility can move between full-time, part-time and on-call positions (without professional repercussions) but may find their needs are best served by switching to a three- or four-day compressed workweek or working at a hospital located closer to home. Full benefits are available to any employee who works 16 hours a week, and free career counseling is offered to staffers’ relatives who’ve recently lost jobs.

CEO: Peter Bernard

Administrative Director of Work & Family Services: Dawn Malone

Women managers/execs: 77%

Women among top earners: 82%

Women on board of directors: 31%

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 67%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 50%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: 80%

Women promoted last year who used a formal flexible work arrangement: 60%

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: Yes