A quick look at the winners

Arkansas Business, May 18, 2009

GOLD: UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

Knowing that employees sometimes struggle to balance work and home life, the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville eases the pressure with programs that help workers keep the juggling to a minimum.

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The university understands that parents need time to take care of family business. To support its employees, UA gives each one eight hours of educational activity leave per year so that parents can attend events, meetings or conferences at their child's school. Flex time has also been implemented to benefit parents who have a disruption in their usual schedule or who need to spend time with a young child or sick parent.

Employees can access the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building or the Pat Walker Health Center to improve their physical or emotional well-being. Cooking demonstrations that teach easy-to-make meals for healthier eating are available, as well as free health screenings throughout the year. The university also provides an employee assistance program designed to help with problems related to health, marriage, family, finances, the law, emotions, stress, alcohol or drugs.

Barbara Taylor, associate vice chancellor for human resources, said that she's proudest of the things that help employees cut costs, such as tuition discounts and insurance payments that are the same proportion for employees and their immediate family members. "[Our policies] make us more competitive both in recruiting and in retaining good faculty and staff," Taylor said.

SILVER: AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER/SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRIC POWER CO.

As a large national corporation, SWEPCO's employee policies help it stand out from the pack. With a four percent turnover rate among 1,605 employees, this company is definitely doing something right to keep its employees loyal.

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After 13 months of employment, SWEPCO's full-time employees receive 80 hours of vacation plus 24 hours of personal day-off time. Also, employees are allowed to take time off to attend school related functions, such as parent-teacher conferences. And if employees want to work at the polls on Election Day, then the company gives them paid leave for the day.

Loving your furry friends is OK by SWEPCO as well. They offer veterinary pet insurance for dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, ferrets, reptiles and more, covering more than 6,400 medical conditions that animals might face during their lifetime, including cancer.

SWEPCO also has an impressive wellness program. The company offers up to $200 in incentives for employees who participate in a free health screening, complete an online health risk assessment, enlist the help of a health coach and complete at least two goals through the coaching program.

The company has many other benefits in its work environment. Its scholarship program for employees' dependents awards up to $7,000 per student over a four-year period each year. "The recipient and his or her family members attend a luncheon with our executives to celebrate an exciting time in their young adult life. It is fun to watch the chapter of a new beginning. Who knows? They may be an employee one day!" said Johna E. Hays, SWEPCO's human resources regional manager.