When flexible schedules were piloted at Marriott’s Knoxville, TN, business services center, the number of calls handled by Customer Care nearly doubled.

Working moms all over the United States have signed up for this hotel chain’s Flex Staffing option, which allows them to slash their hours, handpick projects and telecommute as needed. Just 355 associates used it last year, but 72% were women—and their ranks are growing. For Julie Escanilla, senior director for talent acquisition, the program meant more time with her two kids—and a boost in salary: “I came back from the program in a promoted role,” she marvels. Users often get stipends to cover phone, Internet and skills certification costs and can still access the company’s child-care discounts and its on-site child-care facility at the Bethesda, MD, headquarters.

Chairman & CEO: J.W. Marriott, Jr.

VP, Workforce Effectiveness & Diversity: Maruiel Perkins-Chavis

Women managers/execs: 50%

Women among top earners: 43%

Women on board of directors: 18%

Women corporate executive hires in 2008: 25%

Women participating in management or leadership training in the past year: 40%

Women participating in formalized executive succession planning last year: 45%

Women promoted last year who utilized a formal flexible work arrangement: 85%

Formal compensation policies reward managers who help women advance: Yes