D-backs named among best places to work in Phoenix for sixth straight year

PHOENIX -- For the sixth consecutive year, the Arizona Diamondbacks were named among Valley companies as one of the "Best Places to Work," when the Phoenix Business Journal announced its list of 2012 recipients at an awards luncheon today at the Arizona Biltmore. The D-backs finished fourth among medium-sized companies, the organization’s highest ever ranking and one place better than 2011.

Founded in 2003, the "Best Places to Work" program ranks Valley companies through a third-party administered employee survey. The areas surveyed include various parts of employee life, including workplace environment, leadership direction, culture and management practices. Hundreds of companies were nominated for the award and selected companies were named among the "Best Places to Work" in small-, medium- and large-sized company categories. The D-backs were the first professional sports organization to receive the honor in 2007.

"To be named one of the best places to work in the Valley for a sixth straight year is a great honor,” said D-backs' President and CEO Derrick Hall. “The culture we have created is unique in sports and continues to stand out amongst all Arizona companies and industries year after year. We are only as good as our employees, and there are none finer. We are so grateful for all they do and this award is for, from and about them."

D-backs employees operate under core values established by the leadership team that provide true framework for effective decision making. Those values include investing into the people who work for the organization, cultivating and enhancing relationships with employees, establishing integrity by accepting individual and collective responsibility, foster learning throughout the organization while considering outside points of view, and expecting positive results from the organization both on and off the field. Culture is also one of the five areas of focus within the organization's Circle of Success.

Among the unique perks enjoyed by employees in 2012 was an all-employee bus trip to San Diego, Calif. for a two-game series and complimentary stay at the team hotel. Also in 2012, the D-backs created an employee-driven community service program titled the “D-backs Give Back League” which featured nine groups working on separate projects to help improve the Arizona community. Employees also receive a number of other benefits, including an extended two-week holiday break, quarterly company outings, roundtable meetings between management and employees and a rotating council comprised of members from all levels of the organization focusing on enhancing company events and culture.