Marriott Named One of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers

For the 12th year, Marriott International, Inc. has been named by Working Mother magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers." Working Mother magazine spotlights outstanding workplaces for women and tracks family-friendly workplace trends.

Working Mother selects the "100 Best Companies" based on five criteria: availability of childcare, leave for new parents, flexible work arrangements, work-life benefits, and opportunities for women. Editors also consider a range of additional company benefits, including availability of time off to care for sick kids, mentoring programs and extras, such as onsite fitness facilities.

"Marriott recognizes the importance of attracting and retaining the best talent among working mothers while keeping its competitive edge in the hospitality industry. We are very pleased to be recognized again by Working Mother magazine for our company's initiatives to provide opportunities for working mothers," said Donna Klein, vice president of diversity and workplace effectiveness for Marriott International.

Marriott's work-life initiatives were introduced in 1990 to help Marriott associates pursue careers while maintaining their family lives. Marriott was one of the first companies to assist employees with work-family challenges. The company pioneered programs specifically designed for its lower-income associates, along with providing traditional family-friendly programs, including financial support through family care spending accounts and flexible work time policies.

One of Marriott's most innovative work-life programs is the Marriott Associate Resource Line, which provides confidential counseling through a one- stop resource that can address a wide range of personal issues. The nationwide toll-free Associate Resource Line, staffed by professional social workers, is available in more than 100 languages to all Marriott associates.

Additional programs include, childcare discounts; education and training for associates; an onsite child development center; referral services for child, elder and family care issues; and resources for the company's low- income associates.

The company has been widely recognized by industry leaders and consistently appears on listings of outstanding places to work, including Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For," Washingtonian's "Great Places to Work," and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) annual lodging industry report card. Marriott is also a recipient of the 2002 Catalyst Award for its demonstrated success in advancing women's leadership in the workplace.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC., a leading worldwide hospitality company celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2002, has over 2,600 operating units in the United States and 64 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and Franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Ramada International brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club International, Horizons, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Marriott Grand Residence Club brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. Other Marriott businesses include senior living communities and services, and wholesale food distribution. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has approximately 145,000 employees. In fiscal year 2001, Marriott International reported systemwide sales of $20 billion.