I love my job! 2009 Best Companies to Work For.

• Author: Kennedy, Linda T.
• Position: OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW

Add up all the stories about the economy's impact on people and you'll likely find most of them are about employment. Many who still have jobs have smaller salaries and reductions in benefits. Others wonder if their career dreams are reachable, as several industries buckle under the recession's weight. But there are several companies in Utah that, despite economic challenges, retain their employees and help them develop as if the company's future depends on it. Utah Business is enthused to honor 16 companies in our Best Companies to Work For program. Step through the doors of these companies, which vary in size and industry, as we give you a behind-the-scenes look at what they're doing and how their employees feel about it. Each honored company was determined by their employees who participated in a survey that tabulated points on criteria such as benefits, growth and development opportunities, and culture and workplace environment. The results overwhelmingly illustrate that creating a work/life balance, developing skills and fostering relationships is critically valued among today's workforce.

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Meet the Utah businesses that are confronting today's challenges, and whose employment practices reflect that investing in people is the cornerstone of success.

Comcast

If good communication is a two-way street, then Comcast employees are on it.

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Comcast Market Vice President Rodrigo Lopez says the company engages employees in two-way communication about everything from company goals to employee ideas about how to improve the business. "We have found that the more employees know, the more committed they are to helping the company succeed," he says.

Comcast employees say numerous opportunities for learning, growth and creative expression are provided by the company.

"Management provides an atmosphere of availability and openness," says one employee. "They have an open-door policy that really feels like that--open. They are frequently seen around the office and any question whether big or small is met with a willingness to help."

Comcast also helps its employees with tuition assistance for business-related courses and offers NCTI (National Cable Television Institute) courses at no cost to the employees.

"I have personally enjoyed the benefits of being trained inside Comcast and receiving a raise because of it," says another employee. "All of the training was paid and provided for by Comcast."

Mountain America Credit Union

Mountain America Credit Union (MACU) CEO and President Sterling Nielson says that what sets his institution apart from others are engaged employees.

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"Employees with high job passion help our members find solutions to the complex financial issues they are facing in this economy," Nielson says. "Therefore, we know it is critical that we continue to focus on employee job satisfaction."

For Nielson, that meant traveling throughout MACU offices to meet employees and inform them about the credit union.

"Sterling took the time to talk to the employees before and after the meeting, getting to know them and their concerns," says one MACU employee. "It was a great example of how the employees at MACU are more than warm bodies."

Employees also rave about MACUs training opportunities; the company offers employees 100 percent reimbursement on business courses if a B- or better is earned.

"Employees have the opportunity to learn skills that not only impact their ability to grow at Mountain America, but that they can use throughout their career and personal lives," says Kristina Anderson, MACU communications manager.

Protiviti

When the economy rebounds, the Salt Lake branch of Protiviti, a global business consulting and internal audit firm, says it will need all hands on deck. So retaining their talent is crucial, says Rachel Giustina, Protiviti communication specialist. Employees say the company is doing a good job of keeping them happy.

Even with a small staff, development opportunities exist for employees to grow from being a consultant to a manager and eventually a managing director. The company also helps employees achieve education by allotting work hours for additional schooling and reimbursing tuition expenses.

"Our succession path is very well defined and measurable," says a Protiviti team member, "It's not the kind of company that you get stuck behind someone else waiting for them to get promoted or leave the company."

Giustina says the company keeps people engaged by focusing open communication on the staff's careers and development, not just on how the economy is affecting the company.

"Our work environment is fast-paced with continuous learning, so our people ramp up their skills very quickly."

The results, many employees say, are opportunities to work with some of the market's leading experts.

"I feel like I'm constantly being mentored, instead of being constantly managed and supervised," another staff member says. "There is a mutual benefit in helping others progress in this company so it creates a positive circle of development."

Squire and Company

Ask any employee about what they value most in today's workplace and you'll most likely hear flexibility...