MINNEAPOLIS, April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company, today announced that is has been named to Working Mother's second annual list of Best Companies for Hourly Workers. The only initiative of its kind, Best Companies for Hourly Workers celebrates businesses working steadfastly to provide family-friendly benefits that promote health and wellness, education, flexibility and work-life balance.

"For the second year, Working Mother's Best Companies for Hourly Workers honors corporations who develop talent and support a historically marginalized portion of the U.S. workforce," said Carol Evans, president, Working Mother Media.  "Promoting employees from hourly workers to management to executive is a hallmark of these winning companies. In an era of economic stress and budget cuts, these companies are proactively working to ensure the future productivity of U.S. businesses and to bolster the economy as a whole."

With nearly half the U.S. workforce—73 million Americans—punching in and out as hourly employees every day, companies like Carlson are finding a competitive edge when they support hourly workers.  Carlson offers competitive benefits based upon working 20-30 hours per week and places a strong focus on flexibility, where many other companies require as much as 35-40 hours per week. Paid time off and leaves, along with tuition reimbursement and training programs are also an advantage for hourly workers at the company.

"Carlson offers our hourly colleagues flexibility because it is the right thing to do," said Elizabeth Bastoni, executive vice president, human resources, Carlson. "Carlson's culture is very family-oriented and work-life balance is a priority."

This year's winners will be detailed in the May 2011 issue of Working Mother, online at www.workingmother.com/bestcompanies, and on iPad (search: working mother). Corporate Voices for Working Families serves as knowledge partner for the Working Mother Best Companies for Hourly Workers initiative.

Methodology

The 2011 Working Mother Best Companies for Hourly Workers application was created in partnership with Corporate Voices for Working Families, a Washington, DC–based nonprofit membership organization. It includes some 450 questions on workforce, company culture, benefits, training, development and advancement programs, flexibility policies, paid time off and more. It surveys the availability and usage of programs, as well as the accountability of managers who oversee them. All applicants receive feedback showing how they compare to other applicants, however, the names of applicants not making the list are kept confidential.

About Carlson

Carlson is a global hospitality and travel company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. Carlson encompasses more than 1,070 hotels, including Radisson®, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson(SM), Park Inn by Radisson and Park Plaza®; more than 900 T.G.I. Friday's® restaurants; and a majority stake in Carlson Wagonlit Travel®, the global leader in business travel management. Carlson operates in more than 150 countries and its brands employ 170,000 people.  http://www.carlson.com

About Working Mother Media

Working Mother magazine reaches 2.2 million readers and is the only national magazine for career-committed mothers; WorkingMother.com (www.workingmother.com) brings to the Web home and career information, advice and a broad range of solutions daily. 2010 marks 25 years of Working Mother's signature research initiative, Working Mother 100 Best Companies, the most important benchmark for work-life practices in corporate America. Working Mother Media, a division of Bonnier Corp. (www.bonnier.com), includes the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE, www.nafe.com), Diversity Best Practices (www.diversitybestpractices.com) and the Working Mother Research Institute. Working Mother Media's mission is to serve as a champion of culture change.

SOURCE Carlson