« Full Profile of Discovery Communications
What are your company's demographics (age, gender, race)?
Discovery has a diverse global workforce of nearly 4,000 employees, with approximately 45% males and 55% females.
Does your company offer commuting benefits?
Discovery strives to offer innovative and flexible commuting options for all full-time and part-time employees, including a one-time reimbursement of up to $350 toward the purchase of a bicycle or up to $100 annually toward the purchase of athletic/walking shoes, a $60 per month transit subsidy, and car-sharing services.
Does your company offer any unique benefits or perks? (i.e. gym memberships, free lunch, your birthday off)
Discovery believes that supporting the health and wellness of its employees and their families is integral to its success. The company takes a holistic and integrated approach to providing physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health services, highlighted by a full-service, on-site Wellness and Health Center, which is used by approximately 85 percent of Discovery’s employees. The center offers full primary care medical services including urgent and preventive care and behavioral health and nutritional counseling, and is open to employees, their spouses and dependents ages 14 and up. Discovery also offers a quarterly fitness reimbursement and a one-time bicycle purchase reimbursement program to full-time and part-time employees.
What kind of educational training does your company provide? Do you offer tuition reimbursement?
Discovery’s commitment to employees' career development includes tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 per employee, as well as specialized training courses customized to employees' interests and career path. Discovery also provides support in acquiring professional certifications, sponsorship for employees' attendance at professional conferences, and a global MentorNet program that pairs talented professionals within the company to foster connections, build knowledge and encourage the sharing of experiences.
What flexible job opportunities does your company support?
In 2007, Discovery was recognized with the Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility reflecting its commitment to enabling employees to create flexible schedules through the use of flex days, telework, compressed work weeks and job share opportunities. Discovery continually seeks to leverage new technology and communication tools and training to promote workplace flexibility. Employees are now equipped with laptops, off-site network access, cell phones and blackberries. In 2008, Discovery’s employee survey showed that 80 percent of employees felt that a flexible work schedule was an important factor in keeping them at Discovery.
What is your telecommuting policy?
Discovery offers telework programs on both a formal and informal basis to full-time and part-time employees. Employees work with their manager to create a customized approach that fits the employee's and company's needs.
Does your company offer child care on the premises?
Discovery offers an array of childcare options to employees, including:
• On-site Child Care – Opening in August 2008, Discovery Kids Place and Crikey Cove will provide an adventurous environment that fosters a commitment to science, exploration and education for up to 102 employee children from infants to five-years-old. The Crikey Cove playground honors the memory of the late Steve Irwin – The Crocodile Hunter – echoing his commitment to family and strong devotion to preserving the planet. The center will be fully "green" and will incorporate the latest in conservation and environmental awareness practices within its curriculum.
• Emergency Back-up Care – Discovery provides 24/7 access to emergency in-home childcare or eldercare when regular care is suddenly interrupted. Starting in summer 2008, the company will also provide national childcare support for employees through the Bright Horizon's Back-Up Care Advantage Program, an umbrella of high-quality, customized in-home and out-of-home back-up care options, including priority access to back-up and full-service child care centers across the country and an extended network of center-based and in-home back-up childcare and adultcare providers.
• Customized Childcare Services – Discovery offers customized childcare referrals to working parents, helping parents navigate the world of licensed childcare. A childcare consultant works individually with employees, serving as a coach to provide personal guidance and answer questions throughout the process, and allowing parents to make the best-informed decisions about childcare.
Why should people work for your company?
Discovery Communications, headquartered in downtown Silver Spring, MD, is committed to recruiting and retaining the best talent in all areas of its operations. As the world's number-one nonfiction media company, Discovery offers a stimulating and exciting work environment that challenges, rewards and encourages personal and professional growth and career development. Discovery views employees as valued contributors, seeking different points of view and broad input into strategic planning and decision making on all levels, and providing ongoing opportunities for growth and development through mentoring and education.
Discovery also recognizes the importance of work-life balance for maintaining an enthusiastic, productive and loyal workforce. The company offers a flexible workplace with diverse services that help employees to both manage the present and prepare for the future, including a proactive wellness program, easy access to health and well-being services for family and personal responsibilities, and numerous other life-enhancing options that are flexible, inclusive, and customized – because one size does not fit all. Together, these services are designed to foster a low-stress culture that nurtures Discovery employees' commitment to success.
What kinds of philanthropic programs or volunteer activities does your company participate in or provide?
Discovery is committed to corporate responsibility, philanthropy and giving back on the local, national and global levels through a number of programs:
• Discovery CONNECT – The Discovery CONNECT program supports company-sponsored volunteer service projects that mobilize employee time and talent, align Discovery philanthropic efforts with Discovery business objectives, and make a difference in the communities we serve. Examples of employee engagement on a local level include the Adopt-a-Family holiday program, Prom Dresses for New Orleans collection, and the Everybody Wins reading program at a nearby elementary school.
• Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership – Since 1997, the public non-profit Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership has been making a positive impact on education in the developing world where there is little or no access to technology. Working in 10 countries in Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe, the Partnership brings together private and public sector partners to provide schools and community centers with televisions, locally relevant educational programming and intensive, long-term teacher training. The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation has pledged a major sponsorship for the initiative and, together with Discovery and other partners like Chevron, is helping the Partnership expand its reach around the world. To date, more than 540,000 students in 207 schools have benefited from the Partnership and more than 8,400 teachers have been trained to use television effectively to support local education objectives.
• Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge – Launched in 1999, Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge (YSC) is the premier national science competition for students in grades 5 through 8. The YSC is designed to encourage the exploration of science among America's youth and to promote the importance of science communication for the next generation of American scientists at a critical age when interest in science begins to decline. Over the past nine years, more than 540,000 middle school students have been nominated to participate in the competition. Winners have gone on to speak in front of members of Congress, work with the nation's top scientists, and pursue academic careers in the sciences.
• SILVERDOCS AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival – An annual, eight-day documentary film festival – taking place June 16-23 in 2008 – SILVERDOCS brings the best new documentaries to Washington, DC, audiences, serves as a launch pad for independent documentaries, and affords international filmmakers access to U.S. audiences. Now in its sixth year, SILVERDOCS showcases 100 films from over 40 countries, plus special screenings and a four-day International Documentary Conference.
