Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > AETN receives two Governor's Work-Life Balance Awards
Posted 20 Jun 2011
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) has been recognized by the Governors Work-Life Balance Awards for medium companies for the fourth consecutive year.
AETN received two awards, the Governors Work-Life Balance Overall Award for medium size (50-500 employees) companies and the Mature Worker Friendly Award. Gov. Mike Beebe presented the awards. Among those representing AETN were executive director Allen Weatherly, AETN Commission Chair Sammie Benjamin of Glenwood and vice chair Ronnie Williams of Menifee, deputy director Tony Brooks and finance and administration director Donna Smith.
We are proud to receive recognition for the fourth year in a row from the Governor's Work-Life Balance Award, Weatherly said. And, we are proud of our entire staff for the caring attitude displayed to and for each other and their continued participation in the many and varied programs AETN offers.
AETN was honored with these awards for several reasons, including: programs such as monthly brown bag lunch professional development seminars and safe driving classes; participation in the Arkansas Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program (AHELP), which offers incentives and on-site fitness classes; an open door policy, which encourages staff to discuss ideas and concerns with management; and family friendly practices that encourage long-term employment at the agency.
The awards are presented by the Governors Work-Life Initiative, whose mission is to recognize Arkansas employers for establishing and providing resources that support employees in balancing the needs of both work and family.
Companies that were nominated for the awards were asked to provide information regarding issues such as health benefits, work-time options and childcare assistance. If a company did not have formal work-life policies, informal ways of making the work environment as family-friendly as possible were taken into account.
Partners in the initiative are Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Arkansas Business Publication Group, Arkansas Child Care Resource and Referral Network, Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Department of Health, Arkansas Department of Higher Education, Arkansas Department of Human Services/Divisions of Child Care and Early Childhood Education and Division of County Operations, Arkansas Head Start Collaboration, Arkansas Department of Workforce Education, Arkansas Early Childhood Commission, Arkansas Society of Human Resource Managers, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas and Arkansas State University.
AETN has also been honored with the American Psychological Associations (APA) Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award in 2002, 2006 and 2008. One of five employers from across North America to receive APAs workplace award, AETN won in the government/military/educational institution category. The APA has also recognized AETN as a Best Practices Honoree for its effective use of planning and improvement teams to complete projects. AETN is one of only three national winners in the history of this award program to win both awards.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansass statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit www.aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at www.aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).