Microsoft is committed to attracting talented women to the company and the high-tech industry at large. We pursue this commitment with vigor through a comprehensive offering of benefits and opportunities designed to help each and every one of our employees realize their potential.

Generous benefits
Our generous work/life balance programs-including health benefits, parental leave programs, and strong employee networking groups-have been recognized as among the best in the nation. The following are just a few of the benefits that earned Microsoft a place on Working Mother magazine's list of "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers 2004." (See Benefits at Microsoft for more comprehensive benefits.)

• Adoption assistance plan
• Contraception benefit
• Health-care premiums and prescription costs covered at 100 percent (depending upon elected plan)
• Infertility benefit
• New Mother's Rooms in most campus buildings
• On-site mammography testing
• Paid parental leave
• School's Out program for older children

Fostering leadership and opportunity
Microsoft's commitment to helping all employees realize their potential is evidenced in our Mentor Program, women's employee resource organization (Hoppers), and annual Women's Conference. We're also cultivating the next generation of female leaders by supporting enterprises such as the DigiGirlz High Tech Camp, the Northwest Girls Collaborative Project, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

The following is a list of premier national organizations with which Microsoft has partnered:

• Alliance of Technology and Women (ATW)
• Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology
• Association of Computer Machinery Committee on Women in Computing (ACM-W)
• Catalyst
• Computer Research Association's Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research (CRA-W)
• MentorNet
• National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• Women in Technology International (WITI)
• Women's Business Enterprise Council (WBENC)

What our employees have to say
Ultimately, our people express it better than we can. Here's just a sample of what our employees say they like about working here. (See Meet Our People for more comprehensive employee profiles.)

“When I expressed interest in being a manager, I was given lots of opportunity to explore that option: I was given some leadership roles on internal projects, I was offered management training, and I was invited to pertinent meetings.”
— Tracy
Engagement Management

“There's a women's organization at Microsoft called Hoppers, which works to develop and retain talented women employees. I attended their annual conference last year. There were hundreds of women from different backgrounds and with different skill sets. It was so cool that we all had the same goals- including to deliver great products.”
— Rachana
Localization Project Management Office

"What's great about Microsoft is that I can work partially from home, or leave early and work at night. No one micromanages you. That's a big plus from my perspective.”
— Susan
District General Manager, U.S. New York

“Most people come here with unlimited potential- if you have the skills, the job is yours. Microsoft will guide you by giving you feedback and the opportunity to improve your skill set through courses, seminars, presentations, and brown-bag lunch talks.”
— My Phoung
Software Test Engineering Management

“I was working at an oil company in Dallas, but I wanted an environment that respected people as individuals and was not about putting people in a box and telling them how to dress and how to behave. It's very liberating to work at Microsoft. It's not rigid in any way.”
— Colleen
Services Executive

"I'm floored by the investment Microsoft makes in the yearly women's conference. It's a multi-day conference with workshops open to women from around the global organization. Looking at the expense in terms of time, not just money, it is very empowering."
— Patricia
General Manager, Pacific West Enterprise Sales

“I was actually selected last year to be part of a rapid development program for people on the fast track-people whom Microsoft sees as leaders. This is an opportunity for you to participate in additional training where you have access to senior managers in the company.”
— Mary
Services Management

"Microsoft has generous opportunities for women and all employees. The culture enables those with drive and ambition to guide their careers and success."
— Darci
General Manager, U.S. Headquarters Sales