Comcast Named Coolest Large Company!

When you're in business to provide the latest and greatest in communications infrastructure, it makes sense to employ the people who understand it best-namely, the young professionals who grew up with it.

Comcast, with operations in Manchester and throughout the state, does just that, working actively to recruit and retain young professionals and make them feel valued. One of NH's largest companies, Comcast employs 1,569 full-time employees, 46 percent of them under age 40. One of our active philosophies is we want our workforce to reflect our customer base. So that means that we have to have as part of our decision-making-as part of our culture-vibrant and appropriate input from the younger demographic, says Steve Hackley, regional senior vice president for Comcast.

Comcast offers four-day workweeks and telecommuting options for employees (depending on their jobs). Once a year, call center employees can change their shift schedules to match their work-life needs. Comcast also gives all employees eight flex days a year to deal with family emergencies or unexpected needs, and unused time can be cashed in for up to $1,000 at the end of the year.

Rewards are also a big part of the company culture. Employees who refer a friend or relative who later gets hired receive $500, and that happens a lot. Comcast's numerous rewards range from extra vacation days to team challenges where employees receive points for ideas to improve best practices that can be exchanged for prizes, including TVs and iPads. It's a competitive marketplace out there, says Hackley. So anything we can do to move up the list, if you will, in the younger demographic candidate's mind the better.

Hackley says it is important to seek and consider employee feedback to ensure a healthy culture. Employees are empowered, no matter their title, to lead the company forward by contributing their ideas, he says. To help employees achieve success, the company offers free in-person and online classes in leadership, management and other aspects of the telecommunications business through Comcast University, as well as local colleges.