Criteria for the Awards
Leadership and Governance Excellent organizations adopt programs and initiatives characterized as transformative, innovative and systematic. These depend on effective leadership and governance processes, practices and systems in any organizational settings. Effective leadership and governance creates a conducive environment for mainstreaming various human resources practices in an organization and also ensures there are sufficient support, checks and balances systems to ensure their success. Corporate Performance A key success factor among high performing organizations is their sharp focus on performance and results. For many employers, financial sustainability, efficient service delivery and growth are key indicators of results. Clear directions, strategies and values send strong signals for performance and help create a result-oriented culture. Plans and programs are well-deployed throughout the organization, systematically tracked at the unit and individual levels and are continuously improved. Innovations and Productivity Everything an organization does produces an outcome or result. In addition to the more traditional types of results associated with volume, cost and quality of products or services, all employers generate results from the action of transacting information and knowledge between two or more parties everyday (e.g. staff to staff, staff to customers etc). In Excellent employers, all actions of every employee are designed to add value to the business and therefore to influence corporate performance and the specific results the organisation achieves. Responsible Business Conduct Progressive employers practice corporate social responsibility (CSR) – which reflect their commitment to contribute to sustainable development by delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for all stakeholders of the organization. CSR links well with organizational commitment to pursue and uphold ethical practices which includes abiding by relevant industry laws, health and safety, regulations and professional and behavioral standards.. Inclusiveness and Diversity Diversity means more than simply encouraging people from all backgrounds to apply for jobs irrespective of age, class, race, ethnicity, gender or disabilities. It requires making sure that adequate policies and practices are in place in your organization. Inclusiveness and diversity ensures that all actions are non-discriminatory towards all persons; there is an increase participation of persons of all backgrounds across all the decision making functions; and there is promotion of diversity practices in the work-place. Work-Place Environment The extent to which employees feel passionate about their jobs, are committed to the organization, and put discretionary effort into their work is key to achieving business results. This can be achieved by creating an environment in which employees feel appreciated and valued.. Learning and Development A learning and development strategy aims to meet employees’ needs, ensure optimal human capital development, and build the business management and leadership skills for a strong executive team into the future. When it is well-aligned with overall business objectives, a clear and well-defined learning and development strategy provides the blueprint to develop a talent pipeline that can deliver organizational goals. Human Resource Practice and Industrial Relations High performing and people-focused employers tap the full potential of their workforce. They have multiple programs of eliciting employee participation, engagement and systematically pay attention to their engagement levels and well-being needs. It is good practice to ensure that an organization has practices that are workforce focused with the objective of putting the right person in the right job and getting employees to deliver performance while feeling appreciated and equitably rewarded and seeing personal progress and growth through the organization.