Media Outfits Rare Among “Best Companies To Work For”

Only seven media businesses made it into the Sunday Times’ Best Companies To Work For list this year. The highest ranking, Abbott Mead Vickers, was at number 22, down from number 7 last year. Supermarket Asda was named the best company to work for, ahead of Microsoft and consumer electronics retailer Richer Sounds.

The list, published over the weekend, was compiled using a combination of employee surveys and evaluation of companies’ policies, programmes and culture. Factors such as the ratio of male:female employees, pension schemes, how many people have been there for over 6 years and health insurance are taken into account.

Other media companies that made it into the top 100 were Capital Radio (27), Carat (37), Pearson (54), Redwood (64) and Kent Messenger (83).

An enthusiastic employee of Abbott Mead Vickers is quoted as saying: “If you can’t work here, why work in advertising?” and the report points out that when last October saw the first ever redundancies in the company’s 25 year history, severance terms for the 18 who lost their jobs “far exceeded statutory requirements.”

Capital is described as having “tribal loyalty” and “vibrant offices” although only just over half the staff feel they see a fair share of profits. Carat was praised for “perks aplenty”, Pearson for sharing its success with staff, Redwood for being “exceptionally open to employee suggestions”, while Kent Messenger staff benefits were described as “solid”.

Capital, Carat and Redwood had either not taken part on had not been ranked before, but the other three companies had seen a slide in their ratings in this survey year on year. An inevitability of belt-tightening, perhaps, or maybe just a sign that with media’s enduringly glamorous reputation, companies can afford to treat ’em mean to keep ’em keen.

Sunday Times: 020 7782 5000 www.sunday-times.co.uk

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