Radio: A Great Place to Work?

I have just completed reading a massive study on the Best Places to Work. Guess what? Radio doesn't fare very well.

It's fascinating in that the study takes into account issues that get to the root of what makes employees happy and productive:

* The Credibility Index
* The Respect Index

The study consists of approximately 40 statements that cover company credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie as well as agree/disagree statements about the work experience and satisfaction of the work along with how the company itself contributes to employee feelings of fulfillment.

The radio industry performs so poorly on employee job satisfaction, job fulfillment and company credibility that it has a negative score. This means that more people are leaving the industry than are joining it and a high percentage (29%) of those who remain employed in the business are either worried about their future with the company they are with or are seeking other employment.

When one considers all of the issues facing the radio industry mid-2007, I don't believe companies place employee satisfaction or fulfillment near the top of the list. The most important matters of financial and legal stability remain at the top of lists.

In one intriguing comparison report, company management rank "employee morale and job fulfillment" as one of their top three most important issues.

The same questionnaire filled out by company employees ranks "employee morale and job fulfillment" out of the top 10 most important issues employees believe are considered by their employers.

The radio industry has its problems whether it be audience attrition or technology challenges but it has become so myopic in its view of the world when it comes to the welfare of its most important resource - its people - that until the industry returns to treating its people with respect, caring about their futures, and motivating employees all of the other challenges the industry faces will hardly have a chance of being overcome.

Many of managers and radio industry employees I speak with have known for some time that radio is no longer an industry that lives up to the promise it did 30 years ago, but to see the industry I love rank so low in black & white, truly brings home where things stand.