Search for New Zealand’s Best Employers

Hewitt Launches Search for Australia and New Zealand’s Best Employers

Wellington—Hewitt Associates, a global human resources services company, today launched the 2006/07 Best Employers in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) study, which identifies the Best Employers in the region. The study aims to better understand the link between companies’ people practices and business performance.

It will include joint research with world-renowned psychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association Dr. Martin Seligman on the relationship of positive psychology and employee Engagement. Commenting on Hewitt’s study, Mick Bennett, managing director of Hewitt in Australia and New Zealand, said, “Hewitt’s previous Best Employers studies, both in Australia and New Zealand and elsewhere around the world, demonstrate a clear link between levels of employee engagement and virtually every measure of company performance, including revenue and profit growth, customer satisfaction and employee retention.”

“The Hewitt Best Employers in ANZ, therefore, is geared towards equipping Australian and New Zealand employers with the key principles behind what makes a true Best Employer and the necessary human resource skills to enhance their competitiveness. It creates a win-win scenario for all involved—not just for employers but also for employees.”

This year’s Hewitt Best Employers in ANZ study also introduces a new award category called Best Employer—Large Organisation, which specifically targets large organizations with more than 3,000 full-time equivalent employees. Hewitt’s Best Employers studies, which are also conducted in Asia, Canada, North America, Latin America and Europe, identify those organisations that successfully engage and inspire their employees, delivering exceptional business performance.

The results of these studies are utilised by leading global organisations to measure and improve employee engagement.

The Hewitt Best Employers in ANZ study continues to grow annually as organisations recognise the unique opportunity it offers in terms of benchmarking and evaluating employee engagement and the alignment of people practices to business strategy. It is organised by Hewitt in conjunction with The Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), AFR BOSS magazine and The Independent Financial Review.

During the 2005 Hewitt Best Employers in ANZ study, Hewitt surveyed 160 organisations and over 40,000 employees, making it the largest employee research project and market practice audit in the Australia and New Zealand region.

For more information on how the 2006/07 Hewitt Best Employers in ANZ study will be conducted please contact Mick Bennett on (+612) 9247 8066 or mick.bennett@hewitt.com. Alternatively, visit www.bestemployersanz.com.

About Hewitt Associates With more than 60 years of experience, Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW) is the world’s foremost provider of human resources consulting and outsourcing services. The company consults with more than 2,400 organizations and administers human resources, health care, payroll and retirement programs on behalf of more than 350 companies to millions of employees and retirees worldwide. Located in 35 countries, Hewitt employs approximately 22,000 associates. For more information, please visit www.hewittasia.com # # #

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