Striking the best balance: companies receive top award for implementing popular work-life practices.

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Balancing a job and a home life often can be a struggle that many wish they didn't have. But several companies in the U.S. are doing what they can to decrease employees' stress by implementing work-life policies.

Every year, Fortune magazine features its "100 Best Companies to Work For." In 2008, it chose Google[TM] as its number one company. Google's work-life policies help to create a relaxed atmosphere at its Mountain View, Ca. headquarters, which feature gym equipment and foosball tables along with healthy lunches prepared on site, among other things. As an international corporation, Google seems to have more work-life enticements than most.

But businesses don't have to go over the top with their work-life policies like Google does to attract and retain top-notch employees. By adding a few practices that benefit not only the employees but also the employer, smaller businesses and lesser-known corporations can prove that their work-life policies are worth more than just a cursory glance.

Trends in Work-Life Balance Policy

Several of the companies recognized within these pages have successfully implemented quality work-life policies, including:

* Child care services. With both parents working, companies that offer some sort of child care are becoming more desirable among employees with families. Allowing children to come to work or offering some sort of child care on the premises can decrease employee absenteeism.

A flexible schedule. Another trend is the flexible schedule--perhaps a four-day work week or maybe just a certain amount of hours allotted annually for personal errands.

Increases in employee productivity and employee loyalty are ways that a company can benefit from allowing flexible schedules.

* Health and wellness programs. Several of this year's award-winning companies have exercise and dietary programs available for their employees. Not only do healthy employees yield increased productivity and less absenteeism, they also help mitigate companies' health-care costs.

* Telecommuting. Allowing employees to work from home via computers, telephones or video conferences is another popular practice. Employees benefit by having more time at home, while employers benefit by having decreased energy costs and increased employee motivation.

* Company gatherings. Getting together for some fun every once in a while shows employees that they and their families are important to the company. Whether it's a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the office one Friday or a picnic for employees and their families, company morale is improved when employees know that they matter.