A quick look at the winners

Arkansas Business, May 18, 2009

GOLD: ARKANSAS EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION NETWORK

Arkansas Educational Television Network creates an environment where employees are family. The support system makes employees feel as if their work is an extension of their home life.

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With its "family first" commitment, AETN rallies around employees in their time need. The company has an employee fund that helps pay for things such as flowers and cards. Employees are also encouraged to donate unused annual leave time to a catastrophic leave bank for other employees to use during a crisis.

But employees don't need a crisis to show they care for one another. One employee offers free yoga classes during lunch to help decrease the stress around the office, while another has taught the staff CPR and how to use a defibrillator, which AETN keeps on hand for emergencies.

AETN also holds events for employees' families, including an annual Family Day with games and activities for children and adults. The company even allows eight hours of leave time for parents or grandparents to attend school functions.

"At AETN we have an incredible group of employees who represent our diverse society and work hard to bring a unique public service media to all Arkansans," AETN executive director Allen Weatherly said. "Our team has endured much together, even beyond the varied work experiences. It is the least we can do as a work place to be sensitive to all this and to foster a culture that always understands that family is first."

SILVER: BENCHMARK GROUP

Benchmark Group's family-friendly policies are what elevate this company above most as it welcomes both employee and family to the fold.

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Benchmark hosts an annual dinner for employees and their families and significant others to bring everyone closer. The event features dancing and live music, and employees have the option of getting their pictures taken by a professional photographer.

Benchmark also makes room for kid-friendly events like its annual Party with Santa. Children and grandchildren of the staff come in to visit

Santa, who is usually played by the office manager, and it thrills the children when Santa calls them by their names without asking.

In addition to Santa, the company allows parents to bring their kids to work when there is no other option available. "If worse comes to worst, we can bring our children to work with us, even just for a few hours," said Shannon Nerem, administrative assistant for Benchmark. "If our kids are sick, Benchmark does not count it against us for being gone to take care of them."

Benchmark's perks don't stop there. The telecommuting program allows employees to work from home, which enables them to take care of professional and personal matters. Also, Benchmark pays for 100 percent of the first two hours of personal legal services a year for staff members and their families. Other bonuses of working at Benchmark include catered lunches one day a week, a Casino Night, dinner at a minor league baseball game and a trip for 20 years of service.