BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) has been named one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Women 2015 by Fortune.com and the Great Place to Work® Institute. Companies were selected based on responses from over 135,000 women nationally on issues such as fairness of promotions, access to information and leadership, and support for personal lives as well as for the level of representation of women in leadership positions. Marriott was ranked #81 and is the top ranked company on the list with more than 100,000 employees.
"We are proud of this distinction and are honored to have been recognized," said Arne M. Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Since the pioneering work of our co-founder Alice S. Marriott in 1927, we have continued to benefit from the leadership and talents of many women who have shaped our workplace and the growth of our company."
Marriott was applauded for its senior leadership commitment to women's advancement. Through its Global Diversity and Inclusion Council, chaired by Mr. Sorenson, and its Women's Leadership Development Initiative, Marriott engages senior leaders to increase the presence of women in management and encourage current women leaders to drive organizational success. In addition, the Board of Directors' Committee for Excellence monitors progress and provides strategic oversight across the full spectrum of diversity and inclusion.
"This award is further proof that our people-first culture, centered on promoting the wellbeing of our associates and creating opportunity for all, is the most sustainable way to lead a business," said David A. Rodriguez, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Human Resources Officer. "When people feel they are on the path to better personal health and financial security, and are proud of their company's inclusive workplace and citizenship, they become highly committed to its mission. They also are inspired to give back to their communities. It is the ultimate sign of engagement and signals a successful company."
Across the globe at Marriott, women comprise nearly 60 percent of management and hold many powerful jobs, such as president of a major operating division and global chief marketing and commercial officer. At least nine women lead divisions worth more than $100 million annually. In addition, four of Marriott's eleven board members are women.
Marriott's emphasis on talent development, diversity and inclusion and wellbeing has landed the company on many best places to work lists, including `LATINA Style 50 Best Companies, National Association of Female Executives Top 10 Companies, FORTUNE100 Best Companies to Work For and DiversityInc Top 50 Companies. Marriott has also consistently received global recognition as one of the world's best employers by organizations such as Fortune magazine, Great Place to Work® Institute and Aon.
About Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 4,300 properties in 81 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.
About The Best Workplaces for Women 2015
The 100 Best Workplaces for Women is a "best of the best" ranking. The winners come from a universe of approximately 650 companies with published Great Place to Work® Reviews, meaning they are serious about creating a great workplace and comfortable with transparency. To create this list, Great Place to Work® surveyed 135,689 women at 637 companies, who answered a detailed questionnaire considering everything from the fairness of their company's promotions, to who has access to information and leadership, the level of support for employees' personal lives, and the degree of inclusiveness and connection they feel with colleagues. Women answered 58 questions in total, including an overall assessment of whether the company is a great place to work.
These survey results have a high degree of reliability in accurately reflecting employees' experiences: In statistical terms, women's survey results all meet a 95 percent confidence level and a margin of error of 6.5 percent or less.
The survey results are the biggest reason companies appear on this ranking, since two-thirds of each company's score is based on women's reports. The remaining third takes into account how well-represented women and minorities are within the workforce overall and in management and executive positions. We also gave higher scores to companies who achieved the highest level of parity between men and women in their organization – meaning, companies where not only the most women reported the company performed well on an index of fairness-related questions, but also those where just as many women had that experience as men.
About Great Place to Work® Reviews
While companies look to recruit and hire the right candidate, job seekers are equally interested in finding the right position at the right company. That's why Great Place to Work® uses data and insights to write Reviews that offer a true picture of the workplace and elevate the hiring experience. Companies with published Great Place to Work® Reviews are serious about creating great workplaces, comfortable with transparency, and interested in sharing the unique aspects of their workplaces treasured by employees.