Scripps Networks Voted Among Top 10 Places to Work in Cable 2009
CableFAX
October 27, 2009

The top places in cable to work in 2009? Wouldn’t that be any place that offers a steady paycheck and a few health benefits? From the perspective of someone who is out of work that may be true. Still, we found that the operators and programmers below remain leaders in offering cutting-edge, open-minded benefits packages and in promoting diversity and fairness. All this in a struggling economy, ladies and gentlemen.
There were times, not too long ago, when the bottom line made strong benefits packages a necessity — competition for talent was heated. Yet even in today’s market glutted with workers, the employers listed here are maintaining benefits packages. Cable is an interesting business — advertising may be way down, but consumers are not switching off their TVs. It’s clear cable has a solid future. By keeping employees happy, these companies are preparing for it.

As in previous years, we asked employees to complete our online nomination form if they felt their employer deserved to be in the Top 10, and to tell us why. The CableFAX staff compiled the list, with criteria including benefits, opportunities for growth, diversity initiatives, advancement opportunities for women and community involvement, among other things. 

Scripps shows up year after year in multiple best-of categories in WICT’s PAR Initiative, which assesses the status of women at operators and programmers. Our hunch — if an employer gives women a fair shake, it gives everyone a fair shake.

Scripps Networks supports families with a generous maternity/paternity-leave policy, and was cited this year as one of the Top 100 adoption-friendly workplaces by the Dave Thomas Foundation. Employees are eligible for education reimbursement and professional development opportunities. The employee assistance program, coordinated through an objective outside vendor, provides guidance to employees and their families about mental health, financial and legal matters.

Last year, Scripps developed the Mentoring Experience to grow employees’ talents, deepen relationships across departments and reinforce the company’s culture. Employees accepted into the program are matched with a mentor or mentee in a year-long partnership. The company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is real: Women or minorities occupy half of the executive-level management positions.

And proselytizing is encouraged and rewarded: Employees receive cash bonuses for referring new co-workers.

And we like Scripps’ "core values:" shared responsibility and promotion of work/life balance. Especially that last core value.