The Cable and Telecommunications Human Resources Association (CTHRA) has honored outstanding HR professionals this year from A+E Networks, Comcast Cable and Bright House Networks. Since 2007, CTHRA has hosted this awards program acknowledging the innovative ideas of the people in charge of hiring, benefits and much more. Slowly but surely, their initiatives will shape the industry and challenge the HR status quo. Here the first award for Team Innovators of the Year.

 A+E Networks, Compensation and Benefits Team

2015 was a year of change for HR at A+E Networks, with the HR team working to recast its Total Rewards Program. The team’s 18-month effort was formidable: They amended contracts to reflect the new fiscal year, launched new benefits, rebranded the open enrollment process, created a merit-based payroll process, and honed the company’s long-term incentive plan. Asked what advice she’d offer a company looking to overhaul its benefits and compensation program, Global HR and Facilities evp Stacy Green told us the best programs reflect what employees’ value, what the business is trying to achieve and the realities of the industry. “Know your people. Know your business. Know your market,” she said. Through it all, A+E Networks stresses the importance of effective communication and transparency from HR, in an effort to minimize confusion among employees. Green says the biggest change she’s seen in HR in the industry over the past 5 years is that employees are demanding more from their jobs than ever before. “It is no longer enough to have great compensation and benefits and a holistic performance management system. Today employees are looking for visionary leadership, transparency, inclusion, flexibility, lifestyle perks, learning, meaning and so much more,” Green said.

Q&A with Stacy Green, A+E Networks Global HR and Facilities evp:

What advice would you offer a company looking to overhaul its benefits and compensation program?
Know your People. Know your Business. Know your Market. The best benefit and compensation plans reflect what your employees’ value, what your business is trying to achieve and the trends and realities of your industry.
What is the biggest change in HR in the industry in the past five years?
The “Cultural Revolution”… employees are demanding more from their jobs than ever before… it is no longer enough to have great compensation and benefits and a holistic performance management system, today employees are looking for visionary leadership, transparency, inclusion, flexibility, lifestyle perks, learning, meaning… and so much more. In taking on this challenge, HR is no longer just a support function, it is an influential and integral business driver with a significant impact on a Company’s success.