2005 Best Places To Work Company Profiles

Special Report Table of Contents List of winners Company Scorecard Employee Scorecard 100 Best Places to Work in IT 2005 - Sidebar: Perks Plus - Sidebar: Wish You Worked Here? Profile: Quicken Loans Inc. - Sidebar: Why Quicken Loans Tops the List Profile: University of Miami Profile: American Fidelity Assurance Co. Profile: American Century Investments Profile: Network Appliance IT for Hire Above the White Noise - Sidebar: Raising Voices Beyond the Suggestion Box - Sidebar: Embracing Risky Business How the 100 Best Places to Work in IT Were Chosen

Quicken Loans Inc., Livonia, Mich. Overall Rank: 1 Number of Employees: 2,437 Number of IT Employees: 175 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 15% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 9% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 33% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 21% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 43% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 17% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,500 What's special? This online lender offers personal development training for its IT workers as well as a leadership training program. IT workers can receive a year-end performance-based bonus of up to 25% of their salary. Managers award exceptional performance with spot bonuses ' some as much as $10,000. Merit increases average 4% to 6%. On-site amenities include dry cleaning service, Weight Watchers and Toastmasters meetings and health fairs. University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla. Overall Rank: 2 Number of Employees: 9,783 Number of IT Employees: 284 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 13% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 35% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 50% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 35% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 70% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 8 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,380 What's special? The university's main campus is located on 260 acres in Coral Gables, a suburb just south of Miami. The university offers full tuition for the dependents of employees. Employees are offered 50% discounted tickets to athletic events, free entrance to an on-campus art museum, discounted access to the state-of-the-art Wellness Center, employee discounts at the bookstore and discounted tickets to cultural events. IT is also offered flexible work hours and telecommuting. Employees who develop innovative projects are rewarded with promotions, merit increases in salary and public recognition. American Fidelity Assurance Co., Oklahoma City Overall Rank: 3 Number of Employees: 1,446 Number of IT Employees: 130 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 25% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 7% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 19% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 13% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 35% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 20% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 7 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,165 What's special? This provider of voluntary supplemental life and health insurance serves 1.5 million customers nationwide. Its IT workers can participate in a variety of fund-raising activities and volunteer efforts that the company sponsors. Other benefits include an on-site fitness center ' which offers aerobic classes, yoga, step classes and individualized weight training with a personal trainer ' a profit-sharing bonus and flexible schedules. American Century Investments, Kansas City, Mo. Overall Rank: 4 Number of Employees: 1,883 Number of IT Employees: 308 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 30% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 17% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 0% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 28% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 6% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,000 What's special? The IT department at this mutual funds administrator has its own Web site, which complements the company site with department-specific updates and information. IT also publishes its own newsletter, offers frequent roundtable discussions with IT executives, 'skip level' meetings, department 'all-hands' meetings and bimonthly 'What's New in IT'' e-mails to keep the department abreast of department, company and industry-specific news. The IT department recently implemented a formal internship program. Network Appliance Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif. Overall Rank: 5 Number of Employees: 2,000 Number of IT Employees: 148 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 11% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 23% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 19% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 30% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 35% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 8 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $3,000 What's special? Founded in 1992, this storage vendor's products include specialized hardware, software and services, providing storage management for open network environments. IT management focuses on promoting from within, rather than hiring senior people from outside the company. Turnover has remained at or below 4% over the past four years. Pay raises typically average 4% to 5%. In calendar year 2004, an incentive compensation plan and paid performance-based bonuses were reinstituted. IT workers regularly interact with customers ' in 2004, IT workers met with 100 customers in 145 sessions. Qualcomm Inc., San Diego Overall Rank: 6 Number of Employees: 7,000 Number of IT Employees: 751 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 10% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 5% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 37% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 21% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 25% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 34% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 3 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,111 What's special? This company licenses the CDMA semiconductor technology and system software it pioneered to more than 100 equipment and cell phone makers. IT employees regularly move within the department on different assignments, keeping employees and teams fresh. Feedback forums include executive breakfasts, brown bag lunches, suggestion boxes and satisfaction surveys. Company head count is expected to increase more than 30% this year, with proportional increases in IT. More than 10% of IT employees received promotions last year, with several IT employees moving into leadership positions. IT employees have access to the latest hardware; computers are upgraded every 12 to 18 months on average. Securian Financial Group Inc., St. Paul, Minn. Overall Rank: 7 Number of Employees: 2,318 Number of IT Employees: 382 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 10% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 53% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 3% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 41% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 7% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 8 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,248 What's special? This company offers individual and group life and disability insurance and annuities, and through its subsidiaries, asset management, advisory programs, mutual funds and annuities. The majority of IT hiring is at the entry level, with the intent to train and grow associates to the senior technical and managerial positions. Benefits include on-site child care, continuing education, technical and managerial training, and degree and certification reimbursement. The company offers a job posting program that gives IT workers the opportunity to move between IT jobs and to other jobs within the company. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Overall Rank: 8 Number of Employees: 17,300 Number of IT Employees: 275 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 2% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 53% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 27% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 36% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 36% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 3 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $3,000 What's special? In 1751 Benjamin Franklin founded this Ivy League university, which is credited with establishing the first medical school in the U.S. and the invention of the Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator computer. The highly diverse IT workforce includes people from dozens of countries. The IT group actively supports diversity through formal channels, such as the Cornell Interactive Theater program, which deepens understanding of and respect for differences, and through informal channels, such as encouraging employees to celebrate their heritage by sharing traditions and customs with the entire IT organization. Universal Health Services Inc., King of Prussia, Pa. Overall Rank: 9 Number of Employees: 35,000 Number of IT Employees: 334 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 18% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 8% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 47% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 9% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 52% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 42% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 4 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $200 What's special? One of the largest for-profit hospital operators in the U.S., it owns or operates four dozen acute care hospitals with more than 7,200 beds. IT employees are given a wide variety of job assignments and are encouraged to seek technical and personal education opportunities. A Service Excellence Committee made up of six IT employees helps maintain principles of service and ethical management and recognize IT workers for their customer service and ethical actions. Workers can also telecommute from a home office anywhere in the U.S. The Mitre Corp., McLean, Va. Overall Rank: 10 Number of Employees: 5,782 Number of IT Employees: 275 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 11% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 1% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 31% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 5% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 36% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 16% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 6 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,500 What's special? This not-for-profit organization provides systems engineering, systems integration and IT consulting for several government agencies. A retirement program allows employees to contribute up to the maximum amount allowed by law, with Mitre contributing up to approximately 11% of salary. The program also features a phased retirement option, which allows employees between the ages of 55 to 65 to work a part-time schedule and simultaneously access a portion of their accumulated account balance. Communication channels include a formal open-door policy, employee forms, employee surveys, newsletters and executive lunches. Work/life balance programs include flextime, teleworking, part-time employment and job sharing. Automotive Resources International, Mt. Laurel, N.J. Overall Rank: 11 Number of Employees: 846 Number of IT Employees: 104 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 10% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 0% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 35% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 5% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 31% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 13% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 4 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,500 What's special? This fleet leasing and management company offers services at 15 locations in the U.S., five in Canada, one in Mexico, and another in Puerto Rico. An internal Partners in Excellence program seeks to give workers at all levels of the company the tools to best serve customers, either external clients or internal employees. The IT department has never had a layoff, and there was no IT employee turnover in 2004. FedEx Corp., Memphis Overall Rank: 12 Number of Employees: 250,713 Number of IT Employees: 5,948 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 4% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 2% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 28% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 18% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 32% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 29% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 8 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,500 What's special? Its FedEx Express unit delivers approximately 3 million packages each day, and its FedEx Ground unit provides ground delivery of small packages in North America. Compensatory time off is provided to employees who cover on-call shifts. The 'Hall of Fame' quarterly recognition program honors IT employees for innovative approaches to business solutions. IT workers who submit the best ideas to The 6x6 Transformation program receive a monetary reward and the opportunity to help turn the idea into a real project. J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., Lowell, Ark. Overall Rank: 13 Number of Employees: 16,000 Number of IT Employees: 301 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 15% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 9% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 46% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 0% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 26% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 20% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $3,620 What's special? One of the largest truckload carriers in the U.S., it has a fleet of tractors, trailers and containers and provides dry-van truckload service throughout the U.S. and in Canada and Mexico. All salaried IT employees are eligible for one of three levels of bonus. The plan is based on targets for corporate earnings per share, which are determined at the beginning of the year. Bonuses are paid as a percentage of salary. Philip Morris USA Inc., Richmond, Va. Overall Rank: 14 Number of Employees: 11,709 Number of IT Employees: 452 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 11% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 9% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 35% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 17% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 45% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 25% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 3 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,763 What's special? The No. 1 U.S. cigarette maker accounts for about half of the U.S.'s total cigarette shipments. The company contributes 15% of an employee's eligible compensation to a profit-sharing program, to which an employee can contribute up to 15% of eligible compensation as either a before or after tax contribution. In 2004, the company implemented a three-day leadership development program for its IT managers that was facilitated by IT senior management. Harrah's Entertainment Inc., Las Vegas Overall Rank: 15 Number of Employees: 48,000 Number of IT Employees: 286 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 18% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 7% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 44% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 13% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 41% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 25% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $5,000 What's special? The company manages 25 casinos in 12 U.S. states under the Harrah's, Harveys, Rio and Showboat brand names. The company offers flexibility within the workday but also flexibility and choice with the work location. Harrah's IT collects employee feedback through an annual Corporate Employee Opinion Survey as well as an exclusive IT employee survey (conducted twice a year). Career development focuses on training, rotating assignments and promotions. In order to build employees' skills, the target job rotation is 15% of the organization into new product areas and roles. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Miami Overall Rank: 16 Number of Employees: 4,010 Number of IT Employees: 316 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 8% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 3% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 45% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 42% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 27% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 56% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 7 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,100 What's special? The world's second-largest cruise line operates 29 ships with more than 60,500 berths. The firm's two cruise brands, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, carry about 3.5 million passengers a year to about 160 destinations, including Alaska, the Caribbean and Europe. Employees are encouraged to take vacations on the cruise line, at discounted rates. USAA, San Antonio Overall Rank: 17 Number of Employees: 21,896 Number of IT Employees: 2,182 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 15% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 8% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 25% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 20% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 37% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 35% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 12 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,400 What's special? The mutual insurance company serves some 5 million customers, primarily military personnel and their families. New benefits programs include personal financial planning benefit, enhanced weight management and fitness benefits and enhanced health risk assessments. Executive IT managers lead some of USAA training courses, which more than 1,100 employees took in 2004. New initiatives in 2004 included enhancements to paid time-off policies and improvements to project management forecasting that doesn't plan for overtime. Grant Thornton LLP, Chicago Overall Rank: 18 Number of Employees: 3,881 Number of IT Employees: 113 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 12% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 15% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 38% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 15% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 27% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 34% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,475 What's special? Its parent company Grant Thornton International is one of the world's largest accounting firms. Its U.S. subsidiary has approximately 50 U.S. offices and offers accounting, mergers and acquisitions advice, tax services and business valuations. IT workers are offered a range of options to help balance work and home life, including compressed workweeks, part-time schedules and telecommuting. Assurant Solutions, Atlanta Overall Rank: 19 Number of Employees: 5,346 Number of IT Employees: 599 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 11% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 34% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 40% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 28% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 52% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 11 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $925 What's special? This insurance provider's employee committee organizes participation in community projects such as Habitat for Humanity, disaster relief, fund raising for inner-city initiatives and blood drives. Amenities include subsidized on-site child care at the Miami campus. Dry cleaning and laundry drop-off and pickup, car wash and detail, sundry stores and full-service cafeterias are available at both the Atlanta and Miami campuses. There are also on-site Weight Watchers meetings, which are company-subsidized. Through an arrangement with the Dade County, Fla., school system, the company built and maintains an elementary school for grades 1-6 that is open to the employees at the Miami campus. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., East Hanover, N.J. Overall Rank: 20 Number of Employees: 12,290 Number of IT Employees: 417 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 13% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 7% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 31% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 23% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 36% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 31% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $4,000 What's special? The U.S. pharmaceuticals affiliate of Swiss drug giant Novartis builds in bonuses to its IT project budgets for team members who successfully complete major initiatives. Celebratory events are also held for the achievement of key project milestones. Regular IT department meetings are hosted by the CIO and open to all IT employees. A diversity council helps model best practices, including regular communications around themes such as promoting creativity and collaboration, seeking out new perspectives, creating a culture of openness and respect and promoting work/life balance. Health Care Service Corp., Chicago Overall Rank: 21 Number of Employees: 15,008 Number of IT Employees: 1,395 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 16% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 8% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 32% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 18% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 32% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 33% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,200 What's special? This insurance provider is made up of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, and serves 10 million members. Employees have an average tenure of 10 years. A management framework begins with hiring, supporting workers with a learning environment to develop and enhance their skill set while offering a competitive pay structure and career path program for future advancement. United Parcel Service Inc., Atlanta Overall Rank: 22 Number of Employees: 317,000 Number of IT Employees: 3,799 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 13% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 2% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 24% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 21% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 32% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 36% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 9 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $3,041 What's special? The package delivery company's IT group participates in the 'Neighbor-to-Neighbor' program to organize food drives, work in soup kitchens, mentor troubled youth and help improve impoverished communities. The Community Internship Program is a management training course designed to immerse senior-level executives in the community, exposing them to a variety of social and economic challenges facing today's workforce. An IT mentoring program, begun in 1999, has successfully matched more than 290 pairs of mentors and mentees. Part-time employees are offered full benefits, from medical/dental coverage to tuition assistance. PHH Mortgage Corp., Mt. Laurel, N.J. Overall Rank: 23 Number of Employees: 6,022 Number of IT Employees: 320 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 18% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 15% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 41% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 17% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 29% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 31% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 2 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $983 What's special? The popcorn maker is always on, and jeans and sneakers are the typical attire for IT workers at this mortgage financing company. Quarterly career coaching defines areas for improvement and recognizes performance milestones. Outstanding IT workers are honored through peer-nominated awards, such as the Most Valued Team Player of the month, Team Player of the Year and Leader of the Year. An IT Awards celebration is held semiannually. There are exercise facilities and game rooms in every building. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, N.C. Overall Rank: 24 Number of Employees: 5,204 Number of IT Employees: 263 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 9% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 43% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 5% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 18% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 16% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 3 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,000 What's special? No Dilbertesque cube farm here ' 99% of SAS workers have their own offices. Incorporated in 1976, it is the world's largest privately held software company, with nearly 10,000 employees in more than 200 offices worldwide. An on-site health care center at its world headquarters provides services at no cost to employees and their covered dependents (and takes more than 40,000 patient visits annually). The company added a new retiree health care plan in January 2004. SAS has two on-site Montessori centers, and regional employees can receive child care at the same company-subsidized rate at any accredited child care center convenient to work or home. Sutter Health, Sacramento, Calif. Overall Rank: 25 Number of Employees: 49,500 Number of IT Employees: 950 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 11% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 3% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 49% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 23% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 41% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 21% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $4,000 What's special? Organized in 1996 through the merger of Sutter Health and California Healthcare System, it is one of the nation's largest not-for-profit health care systems, serving residents in more than 100 northern California communities. The training allowance averages more than $4,000 per employee per year, and IT professionals can earn professional credentials as well as participate in leading industry forums. A recent IT project was the adoption of ATM MPLS network technology, with Cisco Systems, SBC Communications and other major vendors. Aflac Inc., Columbus, Ga. Overall Rank: 26 Number of Employees: 3,948 Number of IT Employees: 444 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 13% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 8% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 34% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 19% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 42% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 29% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 4 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,238 What's special? One of the largest supplemental medical insurance providers in the U.S., Aflac covers special conditions ' primarily cancer. The IT division has a dedicated training group that meets quarterly with IT managers to identify needs and develop training plans, including creating customized courses that provide employees training in the areas of technology and skills. Aflac employees have received an annual profit-sharing bonus for 13 consecutive years, paid as a percentage of salary and based on policies in force'' and profit. In November 2004, employees received a bonus of 4.5% of their annual earnings. The IT division was recently awarded Level 3 certification in the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model. Marriott International Inc., Washington Overall Rank: 27 Number of Employees: 124,766 Number of IT Employees: 968 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 9% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 9% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 43% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 17% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 37% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 36% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,500 What's special? The No. 1 lodging company in the world includes hotel brands such as Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, Marriott, Renaissance, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ritz-Carlton. The average tenure of the IT department's 1,200 workers is just under nine years; the group has relatively low voluntary turnover as well, at 7.3% in 2004. A career development system establishes a core competency model for IT workers and integrates it with Marriott's performance management and compensation tools. The resulting career plan identifies new skills needed to move to new roles and functions within the department. General Mills Inc. , Minneapolis Overall Rank: 28 Number of Employees: 18,133 Number of IT Employees: 617 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 18% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 46% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 5% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 40% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 13% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $4,000 What's special? This food manufacturer is known for brands such as Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Cheerios and Old El Paso. In its annual employee survey, 90% of IT workers said they would recommend the company to family and friends as a good place to work. The company offers a special mentoring program for its female IT employees. An early-career rotation program provides an opportunity to have three job rotations in five years. On-site medical facilities include prescription filling, preventative dental, eye care, health care and physical therapy. Other on-site amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, an automotive service center, dry cleaning, company store, a concierge service, hair salon, carry-out deli, credit union and discount tickets to events. Verizon Wireless, Bedminster, N.J. Overall Rank: 29 Number of Employees: 50,000 Number of IT Employees: 2,094 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 7% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 30% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 21% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 31% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 33% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $3,500 What's special? This wireless service provider has approximately 45.5 million customers nationwide. The company offers its IT workers a masters of IT program, through Stevens Institute of Technology. Student employees can take classes two nights a week following their regular workday. Nineteen employees are expected to receive a master's degree this year. Each employee, as part of a performance agreement, has a detailed training plan with an average of 12 days of training planned. The technical track has a systems development ladder and a technology support ladder that have promotional opportunities all the way to technical director, which is the equivalent of a departmental director. American Family Insurance Group, Madison, Wis. Overall Rank: 30 Number of Employees: 8,238 Number of IT Employees: 1,044 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 6% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 5% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 39% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 1% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 37% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 7% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 8 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,250 What's special? This insurer specializes in property and casualty insurance, and it is among the largest U.S. mutual companies that concentrates on auto insurance. One incentive for its 1,000-strong IT team links bonuses with the company's achievement against strategic business goals. A recent IT project helps enable customers to access account information, obtain insurance quotes or pay bills online. The company provides access to undergraduate and graduate school courses, with tuition reimbursement of up to $5,200 per year. IT employees can submit a request for company funding to support a venture project. Vision Service Plan, Rancho Cordova, Calif. Overall Rank: 31 Number of Employees: 1,962 Number of IT Employees: 240 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 5% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 5% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 33% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 17% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 39% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 20% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 3 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,069 What's special? This eye care benefits provider, which has 38 million members, has its headquarters in Rancho Cordova, a suburb of Sacramento. A recent internal survey reported 90% job satisfaction among IT employees. A 'flexible resource' pool allows employees to work on new special projects. More than one-third of the IT leadership team has graduated from the Executive Program at the University of California-Davis. Communication channels include an informal open-door policy at all levels of the IT organization, formal one-on-one meetings between employees and managers (no less than monthly), and twice-monthly lunch meetings between division vice president and employees. Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich. Overall Rank: 32 Number of Employees: 144,000 Number of IT Employees: 3,433 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 9% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 2% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 29% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 14% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 32% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 31% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 20 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $3,400 What's special? This carmaker's brands are Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin. Mentoring circles consist of a management mentor and up to seven mentees. International service assignments are voluntary and typically last two to three years. The company's IT Diversity Action Team hosts several functions throughout the year, including a celebration of cultures and other diversity learning experiences. Ohio Savings Bank, Cleveland Overall Rank: 33 Number of Employees: 2,305 Number of IT Employees: 248 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 13% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 8% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 41% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 10% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 23% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 22% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 6 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,000 What's special? Founded in 1899, Ohio Savings Bank has more than 50 branches and loan offices throughout the Cleveland, Akron and Columbus areas. The bank has $12 billion in assets and more than 2,300 employees. IT workers at all levels have the opportunity to meet with the chief technology officer at any time. Skip-level meetings also allow staff members to talk regularly with senior staff. The bank's IT and retail business units recently partnered to implement speech recognition in the call centers. Hilton Hotels Corp., Beverly Hills, Calif. Overall Rank: 34 Number of Employees: 68,885 Number of IT Employees: 533 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 14% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 35% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 23% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 41% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 33% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 15 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $284 What's special? This hotelier owns, manages and franchises hotels with brand names including Hilton, Hampton Inn, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Conrad. Through the Team Member Travel Program, all employees are eligible for travel benefits while staying on leisure or vacationing with their families. IT works with a variety of technologies, including wireless, Web services, Microsoft's .Net and SharePoint portal server, Red Hat Linux, Tomcat, Apache, Perl, SOAP, Epiphany and XML transactional communications. Communication channels include semiannual All-IT Team Member Meetings, regular skip-level meetings to solicit feedback and ideas, gatherings with the CIO and monthly luncheons. The bimonthly 'IT InfoLetter' and periodic 'IT InfoFlash' newsletters are authored by IT team members. Mount Carmel Health System, Columbus, Ohio Overall Rank: 35 Number of Employees: 9,095 Number of IT Employees: 131 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 8% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 3% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 38% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 13% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 44% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 15% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 2 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $628 What's special? This health care system serves the greater Columbus area and central Ohio, employing about 1,500 physicians at three hospitals, plus community health centers, specialty-care facilities and small practices. Mount Carmel has its own nursing college and trains medical students from Ohio State and Wright State universities. The IT department is offered services such as massages and manicures and takes part in on-site car washes and potluck celebrations. Senior leadership is supportive of the IT department's efforts; the team's skill sets are utilized to help further the organization's goals. Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., McLean, Va. Overall Rank: 36 Number of Employees: 14,317 Number of IT Employees: 199 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 6% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 7% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 23% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 26% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 36% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 40% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $6,500 What's special? Founded in 1914 by Edwin Booz, this management consulting firm offers strategic and technology consulting services, including services for government agencies and organizations such as the Department of Defense and the General Services Administration. All IT workers can participate in the development and implementation of the firm's strategic three-year IT plan as well as serve on customer advisory councils. In 2004, 16 staff members pursued new careers within the IT department. Recently, IT management identified three new career tracks for IT workers in the areas of security, service operations and account management. Principal Financial Group Inc., Des Moines Overall Rank: 37 Number of Employees: 12,475 Number of IT Employees: 1,544 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 10% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 7% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 42% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 1% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 37% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 10% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 3 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $634 What's special? This top administrator of employer-sponsored retirement plans offers pension products and services, mortgage financing, mutual funds, annuities and investment advice. In 2004, the High Street Retreat was opened at the corporate campus in Des Moines, offering two non-networked PCs with Internet access, a reading room, music, several built-in whiteboards and a variety of games, including pinball, ping-pong, darts, shuffleboard, foosball, air hockey, arcade games and a supply of board games. IT employees drive their own training, with computer-based training courses, in-house classes and virtual university classes. Apollo Group Inc., Phoenix Overall Rank: 38 Number of Employees: 12,062 Number of IT Employees: 305 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 20% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 3% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 20% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 2% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 25% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 5% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 6 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,200 What's special? This for-profit education company gears its curriculum toward working adults, serving 267,900 students at campuses located in 39 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and online. Its subsidiary, the University of Phoenix, is the U.S.'s largest private university and largest online university. An education program offers tuition waivers to all full-time regular employees (100%) and their spouses (80%) at Apollo Group's five learning institutions. The IT team recently created the integrated electronic classroom, which gives students access to discussion groups, simulations, reference books, articles and instant messaging within a single user interface. Over the past five years, the IT team has quadrupled in size. CDW Corporation, Vernon Hills, Ill. Overall Rank: 39 Number of Employees: 3,839 Number of IT Employees: 167 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 10% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 9% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 22% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 4% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 28% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 20% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 6 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,500 What's special? This technology retailer sells more than 80,000 computer products, primarily through catalogs, phone sales and the company's Web sites. Each year CDW sponsors a holiday party and pays expenses for all employees and a guest to fly and stay in Chicago for the event. All IT workers have comprehensive career development plans. Other benefits include tuition assistance, customized training, an on-site gym, child care facility and laundry services. CDW also provides breakfast for employees twice a week and offers ice cream Wednesdays in the summer. Remote access is also provided to eligible workers to enable them to work from home. MasterCard International Inc., Purchase, N.Y. Overall Rank: 40 Number of Employees: 2,743 Number of IT Employees: 1,992 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 9% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 9% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 35% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 9% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 32% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 43% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $818 What's special? This credit card company is owned by its 25,000 financial institution members worldwide. The No. 2 payment system in the U.S., MasterCard's brands are MasterCard credit and debit cards, and Maestro debit cards. Benefits packages and salaries target the 75th percentile nationally. MasterCard supplies in-house training and supports outside professional courses, certifications, seminars, trade shows and formal education programs. The company also offers IT workers reduced work schedules, flexible scheduling and telecommuting. Twenty-six languages are spoken at its headquarters. Communication channels include quarterly all-employee meetings and frequent face-to-face exposure to leaders from across the company. Nextel Communications Inc., Reston, Va. Overall Rank: 41 Number of Employees: 19,733 Number of IT Employees: 1,024 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 17% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 5% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 35% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 26% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 39% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 50% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 8 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,100 What's special? This telecommunications provider offers business customers wireless phone service, two-way radio dispatch, paging and text messaging on one handset. The company has 16 million subscribers in the U.S. IT management actively recruits top talent and promotes from within. The Employee Lifecycle Function incorporates all facets of the employee, from recruiting to retirement. Benefit package includes educational and professional development programs, bonus and award incentives and work/life balance benefits that include time off for community service. Partners HealthCare System Inc., Wellesley, Mass. Overall Rank: 42 Number of Employees: 3,965 Number of IT Employees: 976 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 9% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 8% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 49% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 7% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 40% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 10% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 6 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $442 What's special? Offers primary and specialist care, acute care hospitals and other services through Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. The IT staff recently rolled out an electronic administration tool at Brigham and Women's, which uses computerized medicine cabinets, bar coding of patients, patient care staff and medicines to ensure that patients receive the right dose of the right medicine at the right time. One benefits program allows IT employees to receive up to a 50% reimbursement for expenses such as gym memberships, adoption assistance, computer purchases, financial planning and college tuition for dependents. BellSouth Corp., Atlanta Overall Rank: 43 Number of Employees: 62,654 Number of IT Employees: 1,267 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 7% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 3% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 53% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 22% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 10% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 49% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $600 What's special? The local exchange carrier for nine states from Louisiana to Kentucky has more than 40 million customers and connects more than 200 million calls each day. The company reports that 29% of its domestic capital is dedicated to technologies. IT executives hosted several town hall meetings in 2004, presenting IT strategy and objectives, and how they relate to corporate values (more than 2,500 IT personnel attended each session). Other communication methods include brown bag lunches and skip-level meetings for employees to meet with the manager one level above their supervisor. IT workers also are trained in disaster preparedness, and some were instrumental in the disaster relief efforts following the hurricanes in 2004 in BellSouth's Florida territory. LexisNexis Group, Miamisburg, Ohio Overall Rank: 44 Number of Employees: 6,900 Number of IT Employees: 759 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 2% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 3% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 31% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 14% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 24% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 14% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,250 What's special? A unit of publishing giant Reed Elsevier Group, this online legal research system, launched in 1973, offers subscribers access to thousands of newspaper, magazine and journal articles through the Internet, CD-ROMs and books. IT workers have access to up-to-date systems and platforms, training and development programs. Also offered: company-sponsored activities (organized sports and volunteer activities), an employee workout room and company matching for employee donations to charity. IT workers have regular opportunities to talk with the chief technology officer, through skip-level meetings with IT staff. National Information Solutions Cooperative Inc., Mandan, N.D. Overall Rank: 45 Number of Employees: 540 Number of IT Employees: 370 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 11% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 5% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 19% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 0% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 40% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 2% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 8 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $350 What's special? Formed in 2000 from the merger of the Central Area Data Processing Cooperative and the North Central Data Cooperative, NISC provides data processing services and billing software for the energy and telecommunications industries. A new $16 million facility in St. Louis offers walking trails, activity rooms and a fully equipped IT training facility that can house 90 students. A comprehensive medical plan is provided to employees and their families at no cost. Employees can contribute to a benevolence fund matched by NISC; employees administer the fund and use it to help other employees and their families in times of need or tragedy. Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc., Chicago Overall Rank: 46 Number of Employees: 1,274 Number of IT Employees: 474 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 17% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 22% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 26% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 22% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 34% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 4 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,700 What's special? The Chicago Butter and Egg Board first opened its doors in 1898, and in 2002 became the first publicly traded U.S. financial exchange. The IT group processes 1.8 million electronic trades daily, at 100 milliseconds each. Monetary reward programs include the Employee Innovation Program, which supplies legal and intellectual property assistance for employees to apply for U.S. patents for their ideas. The company provides monetary awards for both patent and issuance, recognition of employees at an annual inventor's dinner and an inventor plaque. Ernst & Young, Lyndhurst, N.J. Overall Rank: 47 Number of Employees: 23,089 Number of IT Employees: 1,076 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 9% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 26% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 17% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 31% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 40% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 4 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,100 What's special? This U.S. division of Ernst & Young International provides accounting, consulting, tax and legal services from its offices throughout the U.S. A flexible work environment is customized for everyone on staff. A new variable pay program, effective for fiscal year 2005, provides for fixed annual funding so rewards and recognitions remain consistent, regardless of the firm's earnings. Each June, approximately 15% to 20% of employees receive cash awards ranging from 5% to 10% of base salary. Programs include elder care, backup child care, telecommuting options, tuition reimbursement, employee discount programs, technology support, pretax programs for dependent care and uncovered medical expenses, a referral bonus program and concierge service. Cerner Corp., Kansas City, Mo. Overall Rank: 48 Number of Employees: 5,345 Number of IT Employees: 2,499 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 23% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 15% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 34% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 8% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 41% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 15% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 17 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,900 What's special? Cerner sells clinical, financial and administrative information management applications, including tools for managing electronic medical records, patient care and health information access. IT employees work with leading-edge technology and tools, including computer languages, operating systems and hardware. The company offers an on-site, CernerKids Learning Center Montessori facility. The Associate Center facility offers an indoor pool, cardio room, gymnasium, weightlifting area, racquetball courts, ping-pong tables and exercise classes. Allstate Insurance Co., Northbrook, Ill. Overall Rank: 49 Number of Employees: 37,236 Number of IT Employees: 4,266 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 5% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 7% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 43% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 18% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 43% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 31% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 15 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $5,000 What's special? In the Florida hurricanes of 2004, IT employees helped set up and operate on-site mobile claim and customer service centers. A giving campaign in 2005 for victims of the Asian tsunami collected more than $1 million. Allstate was awarded 'Corporation of the Year' by the Black Data Processing Associates and was named to the National Association for Female Executives' 'Top 30 Companies for Executive Women.' IT employees are offered part-time schedules, job sharing, job rotations, compressed workweeks and telecommuting. Juniper Networks Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif. Overall Rank: 50 Number of Employees: 2,152 Number of IT Employees: 104 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 30% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 5% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 11% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 44% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 17% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 49% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,200 What's special? Decked out with the latest gadgets, IT staff at this IP router maker carry BlackBerry devices and/or cell phones (with global coverage), have high-speed Internet access from home and use laptops with wireless cards. Juniper management views IT technologies as strategic to meeting business initiatives, and the IT staff works with management to achieve this. Staples Inc., Framingham, Mass. Overall Rank: 51 Number of Employees: 43,000 Number of IT Employees: 695 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 14% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 10% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 29% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 11% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 33% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 24% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $4,000 What's special? The No. 1 office supply company in the U.S. sells office products, furniture, computers and printing and photocopying services. Its IT employees and managers meet weekly to discuss development plans for individual skills. The company offers an extensive curriculum of internal training and development opportunities, including project management certification, leadership development, technical skill development and interpersonal communication. National IT conferences and symposiums are held each year, and IT workers are offered tuition reimbursement for relevant university coursework. Paychex Inc., Rochester, N.Y. Overall Rank: 52 Number of Employees: 9,813 Number of IT Employees: 649 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 18% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 40% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 2% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 43% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 6% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 14 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,048 What's special? The second-largest payroll accounting firm in the U.S. processes the payrolls of about 505,000 clients. A company training and development center provides an average of 113 hours of training per employee per year. The IT department also offers its own customized training, a tuition reimbursement benefit and technology certifications. This past holiday season, IT employees helped 25 families, providing gifts for each family member and a grocery store gift card to help pay for a festive holiday meal. In fiscal year 2004, IT turnover was 4.1%. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., Columbus, Ohio Overall Rank: 53 Number of Employees: 32,175 Number of IT Employees: 4,556 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 11% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 38% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 11% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 39% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 19% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: -1 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: -$1 What's special? This provider offers personal and commercial property and casualty coverage, life insurance and financial services, professional liability, workers' compensation, managed health care and other coverage. Career guides for each of 16 IT jobs identify and define the specific core skills for each IT group, establish the proficiency levels for each skill, provide recommendations for skill enhancement and offer career guidance. With management approval, IT employees can schedule flexible hours to balance work and family life. California State Automobile Association, San Francisco Overall Rank: 54 Number of Employees: 6,174 Number of IT Employees: 247 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 8% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 17% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 27% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 11% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 41% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 33% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,100 What's special? The AAA Member organization for Northern California, Nevada and Utah is the third-largest AAA club, servicing nearly 4 million members. The company provides three days of paid time annually for volunteerism. In 2004, more than 2,500 CSAA workers took part in volunteer projects. IT training ranges from desktop to technical, individually tailored training to traditional classroom and e-learning. On-site cafeteria serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks, which are partially subsidized. The company also offers discounted purchases and memberships for cell phones, health clubs, home and car insurance, computers and cars, among other things. To encourage communication within IT, monthly breakfast meetings give employees the opportunity to meet with the division's senior vice president. Discover Financial Services Inc., Riverwoods, Ill. Overall Rank: 55 Number of Employees: 14,174 Number of IT Employees: 1,299 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 11% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 7% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 37% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 10% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 41% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 30% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $775 What's special? A business segment of Morgan Stanley, the company issues the Discover-brand credit cards, used by some 50 million members. Average workweek for IT employees is 40 hours; the company also offers flexible scheduling and summer hours. On the most recent IT employee survey, 95% of IT employees said they have a good relationship with their manager. New hires receive 25 days of paid time off, plus seven company holidays. At the yearly IT outing employees build playgrounds at underprivileged schools. Publix Super Markets Inc., Lakeland, Fla. Overall Rank: 56 Number of Employees: 127,434 Number of IT Employees: 523 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 16% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 12% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 35% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 1% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 31% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 8% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 13 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $800 What's special? One of the largest privately owned supermarket operators in the U.S., Publix has 850 stores in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee. The top 30 leadership positions in the IT department are held by employees with an average tenure of more than 22 years. More than 120 IT workers have 10 years or more of service. Every year, eligible monthly salaried IT workers can earn a month's salary as a holiday bonus during a complete calendar year. Part of that monetary bonus can be traded in for additional vacation time. The Vanguard Group Inc., Valley Forge, Pa. Overall Rank: 57 Number of Employees: 10,713 Number of IT Employees: 2,463 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 7% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 28% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 9% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 32% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 31% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 6 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,177 What's special? Founded in 1975, the No. 2 fund manager in the U.S. offers individual and institutional investors a line of mutual funds and brokerage services ' managing $815 billion of assets. Its Vanguard 500 Index Fund is one of the largest in the U.S. A profit-sharing plan allows individuals to earn up to an additional 40% above their annual base salary. Vanguard has never had layoffs in its 29-year history. More than 40% of its operating budget is earmarked for IT, and nearly one-third of staff are IT professionals. IT workers attend classes at Vanguard University, an internal program with more than 300 classes in a state-of-the-art training center. West, a Thomson business, Eagan, Minn. Overall Rank: 58 Number of Employees: 9,682 Number of IT Employees: 1,411 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 12% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 5% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 40% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 2% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 29% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 16% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 12 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,500 What's special? This provider of online information and research services to the U.S. legal market holds an annual off-site meeting for its 1,000 IT workers. One recent IT project was the development of a smart research engine. Entry-level employees can participate in a two-year rotation program that gives them exposure to all major areas of the IT unit. IT workers can choose between a management track and a technical track. Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Co. , Harrisburg, Pa. Overall Rank: 59 Number of Employees: 880 Number of IT Employees: 106 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 11% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 3% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 47% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 0% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 44% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 3% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 7 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,010 What's special? Founded in 1919, this provider has been a leading Harrisburg employer throughout its history. It now operates in nine Eastern states and offers auto, homeowners, liability and workers' compensation insurance. The 17 IT managers and supervisors average more than 13 years at the company. A five-year IT strategic plan gives IT employees a good understanding of how their current projects are part of a larger long-term plan. All IT staff are required to take at least one insurance course to understand the business. IT staff is also encouraged to visit with customers and report on their observations. Miami-Dade County, Miami Overall Rank: 60 Number of Employees: 660 Number of IT Employees: 668 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 4% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 35% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 65% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 32% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 75% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 6 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,200 What's special? This department is the IT services provider for Miami-Dade County government and its 2 million residents. The department provides an array of services from the maintenance of the county's main data center to its Web sites. The county receives more than 100,000 resumes per year, but hires only 2,000 to 3,000 new employees, or less than 5%. The department offers competitive benefits and compensation, and a retirement plan. Schneider National Inc., Green Bay, Wis. Overall Rank: 61 Number of Employees: 21,185 Number of IT Employees: 365 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 2% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 9% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 20% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 8% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 35% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 11% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $730 What's special? Founded in 1935, this truckload and intermodal services company operates some 14,000 trucks and more than 40,000 trailers. The company offers work/life balance options, including flexible hours and a free service that offers workers counseling and provides information kits on special needs including child care, elder care, parenting, college alternatives for children and transition to retirement. Workers in the military receive full pay and benefits for up to 18 months while on military leave and are assigned a family sponsor from the company who stays in touch with the family or spouse to assist with any questions regarding benefits and other issues. Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Ill. Overall Rank: 62 Number of Employees: 38,128 Number of IT Employees: 2,506 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 18% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 1% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 19% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 4% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 34% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 14% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 8 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,300 What's special? The world's leading maker of earthmoving machinery and supplier of agricultural equipment, Caterpillar gives its IT employees the opportunity to work with managing partners and directors at major manufacturing and marketing locations in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Brazil, India and Australia. Others are involved in installing, training and supporting critical business systems at Caterpillar dealerships in more than 200 countries. IT aided in a recent project to develop emissions reduction technology, by creating the tools that allowed engineers to use virtual product development for the prototypes, and developing and implementing the 'flashing' software used during engine manufacturing and assembly. Northern Trust Corp., Chicago Overall Rank: 63 Number of Employees: 8,022 Number of IT Employees: 925 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 15% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 34% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 15% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 33% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 36% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,300 What's special? Flexible work schedules are a hallmark of this financial services company. All IT employees are eligible to work part time without limiting promotional opportunities. Compressed workweeks such as four 10-hour days are common, and a few IT employees work remotely full time. A centrally managed technology organization allows for educational, career path and idea exchange opportunities, and technology staff is aligned with business to connect with clients and products. Temple University , Philadelphia Overall Rank: 64 Number of Employees: 5,371 Number of IT Employees: 237 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 11% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 22% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 33% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 29% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 31% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,000 What's special? IT workers deal with issues ranging from peer-to-peer file sharing to integrating wireless applications to support medical records. The Philadelphia-based university, which enrolls more than 34,000 students, offers family tuition benefits, and use of health club facilities and university programs. Employees have access to sporting events and music, dance and art programs, and the option of pursuing degree programs. Recent technology projects include research project tracking, identity protection, Social Security number elimination, ERP implementation, disaster recovery and document imaging. Next year, the university plans to open one of the largest educational computer labs in the world. U.S. Postal Service, Washington Overall Rank: 65 Number of Employees: 707,485 Number of IT Employees: 1,216 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 9% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 21% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 24% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 36% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 33% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 1 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $4,000 What's special? Each day, the USPS delivers mail to nearly 140 million homes, businesses and post office boxes ' an average of five pieces of mail to each address, totaling more than 200 billion pieces of mail a year. IT employees' performance is tracked and rewarded via a suite of Web-enabled performance and compensation systems. Recent IT projects have enabled customers to purchase postage and print shipping labels via the USPS Web site. IT employees' annual performance evaluations are based on specific issues IT has been called upon to address. EarthLink Inc., Atlanta Overall Rank: 66 Number of Employees: 2,000 Number of IT Employees: 800 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 5% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 9% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 28% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 23% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 21% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 41% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 3 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,500 What's special? One of the largest Internet service providers in the country, EarthLink has about 5.2 million consumer and small-business customers, including about 1.1 million broadband subscribers. IT employees are exposed to new technologies in the industry, as the company explores alternatives to existing broadband. EarthLink absorbs a large portion of employees' health care costs and offers career development programs and cross-functional training. International Truck and Engine Corp., Warrenville, Ill. Overall Rank: 67 Number of Employees: 14,776 Number of IT Employees: 583 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 12% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 3% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 24% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 10% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 29% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 21% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 4 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $700 What's special? This heavy-duty truck maker offers a special program for its IT workers ' IT Professional Grade Advancement Program. This program focuses on developing IT employees' competencies in areas required by the business and their technical function, with a balance among technical, business, communication and leadership skills. The program also provides a career development track for nonmanagerial IT professionals. Other benefits include 100% tuition reimbursement, online technical and MBA programs, and third-party off-site business training conferences. Quest Diagnostics Inc., Teterboro, N.J. Overall Rank: 68 Number of Employees: 37,000 Number of IT Employees: 1,465 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 13% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 11% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 33% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 10% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 38% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 26% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 4 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $546 What's special? In 2004, more than 12% of IT employees at this clinical lab received promotions; one in every four IT workers has a management role. A new job rotation program at the director level draws cross-functional knowledge and expertise into all areas of the organization. As the largest clinical laboratory company in the U.S., the company provides diagnostic services to physicians and patients around the clock. Most IT employees work first shift, with flexible start times. The majority of IT employees are supplied with laptop computers with VPN connectivity and broadband, DSL or cable access. Comerica Inc, Auburn Hills, Mich. Overall Rank: 69 Number of Employees: 11,000 Number of IT Employees: 708 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 16% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 39% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 15% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 40% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 24% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $7,012 What's special? This bank holding company has three divisions, with offerings that include business and asset-based lending, credit and international trade finance, consumer lending and deposits, mortgage loan servicing, mutual fund and annuity investment services, life and disability insurance and retirement services. IT staff members take part in an annual United Way campaign. The company offers flexible work arrangements, including flexible work schedules, plus the option to telecommuting. Carlson Cos., Minnetonka, Minn. Overall Rank: 70 Number of Employees: 20,202 Number of IT Employees: 1,045 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 1% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 9% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 27% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 5% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 39% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 11% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 2 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $135 What's special? New in 2004 was the launch of a 12-month IT mentoring program designed to encourage career development, foster learning and personal growth while maintaining an open channel for advice, feedback and counsel. Within its first year, the program matched 50 mentors with colleagues from different teams in the IT organization. Other benefits at the leisure services company include an adoption assistance program, on-site child care (or discounts on off-site child care), a medical facility for Minneapolis campus employees and their families, a scholarship program, employee referral bonuses, Weight Watchers on-site meetings and an alternative work arrangement program. Corning Inc., Corning, N.Y. Overall Rank: 71 Number of Employees: 25,000 Number of IT Employees: 428 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 18% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 26% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 12% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 33% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 16% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 4 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,400 What's special? The world's top maker of fiber-optic cable, Corning derives just over half of its sales from industrial and scientific products; glass products for TVs, VCRs and flat-panel displays; and emission controls and semiconductor materials. Corning's global work environment allows employees to participate on virtual teams and work with colleagues worldwide. The company provides a Life After High School Service, a scholarship program that helps pay for children's educational expenses in the event of the employee's death or total disability, and a National Merit Scholarship Program. Corning's Matching Gift Program encourages financial support of nonprofit institutions. Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport, Tenn. Overall Rank: 72 Number of Employees: 10,700 Number of IT Employees: 352 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 7% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 10% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 0% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 37% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 7% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,000 What's special? Divided into three business segments, this manufacturer produces chemicals, fibers and plastics. IT workers can choose to advance via the technical or managerial ladder. Cross-functional assignments are designed to enhance the employee's personal career development plan. The company offers flexible work schedules to its IT staff, including the option to work from home using company-provided high-speed Internet access. Southern California Edison Co., Rosemead, Calif. Overall Rank: 73 Number of Employees: 14,276 Number of IT Employees: 1,085 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 8% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 2% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 23% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 38% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 37% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 52% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 6 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,600 What's special? This utility provides power delivery to more than 50,000 square miles. Within that service territory are multiple work locations, so IT workers can occasionally work at locations other than their assigned office. The CIO Awards recognize individuals who use technology to bring value to the company. Other perks include merit increases, monetary spot bonuses, a noncash incentive program and results-sharing bonuses based on business and individual performance results. The Make-A-Difference awards honor IT employees who go beyond what is required of them; winners receive a personal thank-you note from the CIO along with movie tickets or other tokens of appreciation. National City Corp., Cleveland Overall Rank: 74 Number of Employees: 33,297 Number of IT Employees: 1,419 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 10% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 8% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 30% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 8% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 32% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 14% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 8 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,231 What's special? The IT department at this regional bank developed a competency model in 2004 to identify the expectations of each role to help employees identify strengths and training options. The company's CIO meets with employees and conducts regular open forum meetings designed to generate dialogue, share ideas and address questions. The IT department hosts an annual fall festival for all its employees with food, games and prizes. A recent IT project is Customer Connections, a $125 million package of technology, equipment and processes designed to improve performance and effectiveness at points of customer contact. Edward D. Jones & Co., St. Louis Overall Rank: 75 Number of Employees: 29,223 Number of IT Employees: 1,008 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 10% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 41% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 11% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 39% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 17% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 4 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $410 What's special? In 2004, IT workers at this financial services firm assisted in renegotiating vendor contracts that, when fully implemented, will result in annual cost savings of about $10 million. A new self-development process allows IT workers to define career aspirations and self-assess the skills and knowledge necessary to attain them. The company has no budgets, few private offices and no job descriptions. More than 50 IT employees work from home. Edward Jones is currently owned by 275 principals and 4,958 limited partners ' all of whom work for, or are retired from, the firm. HSBC North America Holdings Inc., Prospect Heights, Ill. Overall Rank: 76 Number of Employees: 44,700 Number of IT Employees: 3,360 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 6% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 29% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 14% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 34% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 31% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 11 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,668 What's special? This subsidiary of British bank HSBC Holdings PLC comprises all of HSBC's U.S. and Canadian operations and all the former Household International businesses. Services include personal and commercial banking, mortgages, consumer finance, private banking, insurance and corporate investment banking. Benefit packages for IT workers at this banking giant include health and work/life balance programs. New hires are eligible to contribute to their 401(k) account after 30 days of employment and receive company match after one year of service. Science Applications International Corp., San Diego Overall Rank: 77 Number of Employees: 45,625 Number of IT Employees: 676 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 12% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 7% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 40% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 23% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 29% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 23% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,000 What's special? The largest employee-owned research and engineering firm in the U.S. allows workers to earn stock bonuses or stock option awards, purchase stock directly or gain it through the company's retirement plans. Buyers and sellers can trade SAIC stock in a quarterly internal market. A workforce empowerment group looks at environmental surroundings, longer-term education to identify education venues and incentive programs to increase employee motivation and productivity. National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Arlington, Va. Overall Rank: 78 Number of Employees: 685 Number of IT Employees: 107 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 14% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 15% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 40% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 7% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 20% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 36% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $3,500 What's special? The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, or NRECA, represents consumer-owned power cooperatives. It publishes magazines and a weekly newspaper, sponsors conferences and seminars, and represents some 860 rural electric co-ops in the U.S. Congress and state legislatures. Turnover in the IT department is relatively low. IT workers are given cutting-edge technology and training, and challenging work assignments. IT workers participate in a program where many have taken trips to member electric cooperatives to meet customers. Acxiom Corp., Little Rock, Ark. Overall Rank: 79 Number of Employees: 4,465 Number of IT Employees: 1,880 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 5% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 5% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 15% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 5% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 29% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 15% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,000 What's special? This technology provider helps clients store, integrate and analyze customer data. The TresNet community was formed to increase knowledge by sharing new technologies, current project activities and third-party solution implementation with IT workers spread throughout the organization. The community offers online cross-company forums and an annual symposium. Currently, the IT group is migrating all systems from traditional mainframe and client/server platforms to a new grid-computing-based platform; IT workers are writing software and developing from scratch all the technologies required for the project. Honeywell Interntional Inc., Morristown, N.J. Overall Rank: 80 Number of Employees: 56,268 Number of IT Employees: 1,594 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 15% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 35% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 22% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 33% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 17% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,000 What's special? This aerospace company traces its roots back to 1885, when inventor Albert Butz patented the furnace regulator and alarm. Today, the company's largest business segment, Honeywell Aerospace, makes products such as turbofan and turboprop engines and flight safety and landing systems. IT staff are trained and certified in Green Belt and Design for Six Sigma, and they have the opportunity to be Black Belt-certified. One of the first manufacturing companies to use Web-enabled e-commerce applications, the company is now piloting RFID applications. DTE Energy Co., Detroit Overall Rank: 81 Number of Employees: 12,000 Number of IT Employees: 601 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 4% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 3% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 33% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 17% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 26% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 30% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,000 What's special? To minimize impact on its employees, this energy provider scales up or down with supplemental contract staff to respond to short- and medium-term business changes. IT management offers technical training, encourages personal and interpersonal growth and development, and strives to ensure a work/life balance. IT departments are organized around Communities of Practice, informally organized groups of people with a common characteristic or interest working together within the larger organization. A practice provides administrative support, career development, position opportunities and other benefits. DaimlerChrysler AG, Auburn Hills, Mich. Overall Rank: 82 Number of Employees: 126,642 Number of IT Employees: 1,601 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 3% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 2% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 17% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 9% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 22% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 10% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,225 What's special? This automaker produces about 4.6 million vehicles a year, including the Dodge, Jeep, Mercedes and Chrysler brands. Its Freightliner unit is the country's top heavy-truck maker. The IT organization was the first within the company to offer summer hours ' with management approval, employees can vary their work hours to have an extra day off every other week or a half day off each week. Extra benefits include flexible spending accounts, voluntary life insurance, long-term care and legal insurance. Career development in IT is based on gaining a broad range of skills and experience in job families and functional areas; 12 job families have been identified in the IT group. Hewitt Associates LLC, Lincolnshire, Ill. Overall Rank: 83 Number of Employees: 12,291 Number of IT Employees: 1,536 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 12% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 10% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 41% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 11% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 40% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 25% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 6 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,300 What's special? Founded by Ted Hewitt in 1940, this global outsourcing and consulting firm offers human-resources-related services including payroll and benefits outsourcing. Client roster includes more than half of Fortune 500 companies and more than a third of Fortune Global 500 companies. Hewitt administers medical, 401(k) and pension plans. A flexible benefit plan has a credit and price-tag structure designed to offer competitive medical, dental and vision coverage available at no cost to employees. A new performance management system helps solicit IT workers' developmental interests and career aspirations and formalize them in a career plan. Aquila Inc., Kansas City, Mo. Overall Rank: 84 Number of Employees: 3,203 Number of IT Employees: 122 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 13% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 8% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 5% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 21% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 30% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 11% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,000 What's special? This energy provider serves more than 910,000 natural gas customers and more than 452,000 electricity customers in seven states in its regulated U.S. utility division. A recent project to migrate all major systems from the mainframe required a retraining of nearly every IT employee. About 80% of IT employees were trained on Unix, Oracle, system management and development tools. IT employees are given the opportunity to participate in Six Sigma projects and offered training to enhance project management skills. NASD, Rockville, Md. Overall Rank: 85 Number of Employees: 2,330 Number of IT Employees: 124 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 20% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 52% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 36% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 27% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 25% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $5,000 What's special? Since the Nasdaq market was spun off in 2002, NASD oversees over-the-counter securities trading and disciplines traders (virtually all U.S. securities dealers are members). NASD has invested more than $20 million year over year in capital initiatives to improve its ability to determine rules and enforce them in the securities industry. The company's 'Examiner University' improves education and use of technology in examining member firms. NASD offers industry technology conferences taught by its own technology professionals. Current IT projects include work with data mining and management, text mining, forensic technology and file management technologies. Northrop Grumman Corp., Los Angeles Overall Rank: 86 Number of Employees: 125,000 Number of IT Employees: 2,860 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 7% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 52% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 35% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 34% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 32% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 3 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,100 What's special? The company sells high-tech systems and services to government and commercial customers. Employees can plan their own work hours within a two-week, 80-hour schedule that can include nonstandard hours. The IT department works on a variety of projects, including support of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, advanced laser and infrared systems, space satellites and homeland security programs. Voluntary turnover has dropped to 4.2%, from a high of 8.9% seven years ago. CNA Financial Corp., Chicago Overall Rank: 87 Number of Employees: 7,350 Number of IT Employees: 1,180 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 4% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 14% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 32% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 17% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 36% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 35% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 6 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,200 What's special? This insurance company includes Continental Casualty and Continental Assurance. Its primary products are workers' compensation, general and professional liability insurance. CNA has earmarked more than $200 million for new software development this year, part of $1.5 billion that has been committed to technology over the next three years. Management is focused on offering IT workers training, work/life balance opportunities and performance management. J.C. Penney Co., Plano, Texas Overall Rank: 88 Number of Employees: 149,902 Number of IT Employees: 1,170 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 7% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 8% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 37% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 25% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 50% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 32% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 14 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,500 What's special? IT employees average 14 years with this retailer, which was established in Kemmerer, Wyo., back in 1902. Today, the retailer has about 1,050 JCPenney department stores, located mostly in the U.S. IT workers have access to more than 300 course titles on management development and technical topics. IT workers who earn a master's degree are given an additional $3,000 in base salary. Other benefits include a flexible work environment, telecommuting option and pension plan that the company funds entirely. State Street Corp., Boston Overall Rank: 89 Number of Employees: 12,335 Number of IT Employees: 2,579 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 15% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 8% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 31% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 18% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 34% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 29% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 4 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,000 What's special? The CIO Award is given semiannually to exceptional IT employees at this Boston-based financial services firm. Recipients are honored by the CIO and featured on the corporate technology intranet Web site, and they receive a significant monetary award. The IT department offers access to state-of-the-art systems, an array of career opportunities, flexible work arrangements, alternative work locations and work-from-home opportunities. An in-depth management resource review helps to identify and develop key performers. Infosys Technologies Ltd., Fremont, Calif. Overall Rank: 90 Number of Employees: 4,938 Number of IT Employees: 4,686 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 10% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 7% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: Not disclosed Percentage of IT staff who are women: 17% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: Not disclosed Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 21 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $682 What's special? One of India's top technology consulting firms, Infosys has U.S. headquarters in Fremont, Calif., and operations in more than 15 countries. The company benchmarks its compensation practices against best-in-class companies and pays competitive salaries to employees at all levels. Continuous learning programs focus on technical processes, management and leadership training. GMAC Insurance Holdings Inc., Winston-Salem, N.C. Overall Rank: 91 Number of Employees: 2,712 Number of IT Employees: 387 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 9% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 9% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 27% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 11% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 45% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 17% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,300 What's special? The automobile financing unit of carmaker General Motors sells insurance to about 1 million policyholders through independent agencies across the U.S. The company offers employees discounts and incentives through the GM Family First program, including discounts on mortgages, new automobiles and insurance, purchases at Barnes and Noble, and on personal mobile phone service. IT management encourages personal, professional, leadership and technological training. The company offers flextime and telecommuting. Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp., Burlington, N.J. Overall Rank: 92 Number of Employees: 28,000 Number of IT Employees: 241 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 5% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 9% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 20% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 20% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 26% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 24% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 4 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $500 What's special? One of the nation's largest coat sellers operates 330 retail stores that sell clothing, bath items, children's apparel and furniture, gifts, jewelry, linens and shoes. The company operates under such names as Burlington Coat Factory, Baby Depot, Cohoes Fashions, Luxury Linens, MJM Designer Shoes and Totally 4 Kids in more than 40 states. IT employees regularly work with new, cutting-edge technologies. Five percent of its IT staff were promoted in 2004. Xerox Corp., Stamford, Conn. Overall Rank: 93 Number of Employees: 32,048 Number of IT Employees: 635 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 9% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 39% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 11% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 36% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 20% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,500 What's special? Best known for its color and black-and-white copiers, the company also makes printers, scanners and fax machines and sells document management software and copier supplies. Schedules are created for IT employees to help balance work, family and professional development needs, including alternative work hours and days, telecommuting and remote work options available. IT projects follow the Time-To-Market process, to ensure consistency across the organization and fair measurement across all the projects. The company offers computer-based and instructor-led training as well as communication, technical and personal development courses. All executives, senior managers, project leaders, staff and IT personnel are trained in the basics of Six Sigma. Hogan & Hartson LLP, Washington Overall Rank: 94 Number of Employees: 1,935 Number of IT Employees: 105 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 6% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 7% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 50% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 36% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 40% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 43% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,000 What's special? In 2004, the IT department at this multinational law firm received innovative technology awards from Law Technology News and the Metastorm BPM Conference. The firm's multidisciplinary teams travel to London, Paris, Prague, Beijing, Berlin, Los Angeles and Miami. IT personnel at all levels are given the opportunity for such travel. IT team members keep pace with advances in electronic discovery, courtroom graphics and presentation tools, remote access and mobile products, and a host of other technologies. IT workers use a development lab to investigate and test new technologies. Progress Software Corp., Bedford, Mass. Overall Rank: 95 Number of Employees: 800 Number of IT Employees: 102 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 8% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 2% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 52% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 10% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 37% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 9% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,000 What's special? Perks at the Bedford, Mass., headquarters of this software maker include walking trails, a patio and on-site gym. Regular social events allow employees to interact outside work. Pet-owner employees can bring in their pets for the day to get them to a vet appointment. The company promotes from within: The vice president of IT started with the company as an IT manager. Other benefits include interest-free computer loans, life insurance, charitable contributions, an employee stock purchase plan, 529 Workplace College Savings program and career training. Discounts are offered on items such as cars, auto accessories, appliances, home electronics, computers, home furnishings, travel (including airfare and hotel), boats and bikes. Aetna Inc., Hartford, Conn. Overall Rank: 96 Number of Employees: 26,829 Number of IT Employees: 3,013 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 3% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 7% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 39% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 7% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 46% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 15% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 6 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $900 What's special? This insurer offers work-hour flexibility to all its workers and especially its IT workers who are equipped with the latest technology and connections. IT professionals work with leading-edge technology, allowing for diversified training and career progression. All major operating systems, applications and infrastructure technologies are operated at Aetna with training to support them. IT workers support technologies such as customer-service Web sites and 24-hour processing applications and systems. IT professionals can receive 100% reimbursement on college tuition up to a $3,000 annual cap. Nielsen Media Research Inc., New York Overall Rank: 97 Number of Employees: 6,705 Number of IT Employees: 611 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 16% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 34% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 11% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 33% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 18% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 2 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $1,306 What's special? A subsidiary of business information giant VNU, Nielsen Media is best known for its audience measurement services. In the U.S., it collects its audience data from about 5,000 devices placed in randomly selected households. IT workers are offered work/life balance options and have opportunities to work on well-funded projects. At the upper levels, IT professionals work directly with top management to shape and execute the strategy of the business. Nemours, Jacksonville, Fla. Overall Rank: 98 Number of Employees: 3,800 Number of IT Employees: 124 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 6% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 6% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 44% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 6% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 35% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 14% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $2,500 What's special? This pediatric health system provides 100% health care coverage for the children of full-time workers. Recent IT projects include rollout of a data warehouse, using cutting-edge database hardware and analysis technologies. IT workers are offered remote access and wireless technologies to allow them to telecommute and more easily structure their responsibilities around their lives. Scientific-Atlanta Inc., Lawrenceville, Ga. Overall Rank: 99 Number of Employees: 1,683 Number of IT Employees: 102 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 5% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 1% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 20% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 47% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 26% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 27% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 10 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $5,000 What's special? IT workers at this top maker of set-top cable boxes average more than 12 years of experience in technology deployment and support. To assure that IT is working on projects considered the most beneficial to the company, an IT governance process approves or rejects IT projects above a certain investment threshold, which includes the cost of staff. Regions Financial Corp., Montgomery, Ala. Overall Rank: 100 Number of Employees: 26,225 Number of IT Employees: 1,019 IT Employee Promotions in 2005: 12% IT Employee Turnover in 2005: 4% Percentage of IT managers who are women: 47% Percentage of IT managers who are minorities: 23% Percentage of IT staff who are women: 35% Percentage of IT staff who are minorities: 25% Training days offered per IT employee in 2005: 5 Training budget per IT employee in 2005: $554 What's special? This financial services firm's merger with Union Planters in 2004 created an entity with more than 1,300 branches in 15 states. An accelerated development program offers IT workers time in each area of the division, allowing them to acquire hands-on training to understand how each job affects other areas in the division. Diverse technology includes distributed systems, risk management, telecommunications and proactive monitoring, offering learning and career growth opportunities. IT staffers can work flexible hours with different shifts of operations, early or late day schedules, or they can work from home. IT division has the lowest turnover rate of any other department with only 4% in 2004.