Finalists Announced for JRA Best Workplace Awards

Auckland, Thursday, 19 November 2009 – Do you spring out of bed in the morning, puff out your chest and look forward to another fulfilling day at work? The JRA Best Workplaces Awards 2009 is celebrating those organisations that make work a positive experience, with everyone reaping the benefits.

“Having an encouraging working environment where employees are ‘engaged’has never been more important”, says John Robertson of workplace survey and analysis specialists, JRA (NZ) Ltd, which carries out the JRA Best Workplaces Survey.

“It’s been a tough year for a lot of businesses, with greater demands being placed on staff and management. But it’s important, as the economy starts to turn a corner, that organisations can retain skilled employees, putting them in a strong position to rebuild business momentum,” says Robertson.

The JRA Best Workplaces Survey offers valuable insights into the issues that affect how engaged employees feel in their work, which in turn impacts their organisation’s bottom line. Engaged employees are more productive, deliver higher levels of customer service, and are less likely to be looking elsewhere for their next job.

CEOs who are reluctant to tackle “people issues” may be encouraged by some of the anonymous comments captured in this year’s survey from employees working in the ‘Best Workplaces.’ “My director and manager give me so much support and have created an amazing working environment for my team. I feel constantly encouraged and know that I have the guidance and assistance I need to succeed in my career. This is a fantastic place to work and as an employee I feel very valued”.

Another employee said, “I feel that our senior management and supporting staff are so awesome at their jobs! I enjoy working here, I have worked in this industry for 5+ years and can honestly say [this organisation] is the best place I’ve worked for hands down, and I would recommend the company to anyone looking for a great place to work!

Businesses are getting better at recognising the importance of engaging employees at work and the strong connection between a great workplace and business success, says Robertson.

“These types of comments paint a very clear picture about the impact of a great workplace on employee attitudes and behaviour. It’s this sort of energy and enthusiasm that really makes the difference between success and failure for any organisation in the current climate” says Robertson.

The winners of the JRA Best Workplaces Survey will be announced at a black tie awards evening in Auckland on 26 November in Auckland.

About the survey:

The JRA Best Workplaces Survey 2009 is the largest employee engagement survey in New Zealand. Nearly 28,000 employees across New Zealand took part in the survey across 216 organisations.

Employees’rate their organisation based on 60 questions across a range of measures, including communication, culture and values, common purpose, learning and development, and reward and recognition. The responses are analysed and participating organisations then ranked on their overall score.

Winners are split into four categories; small workplace (20 to 49 employees), small to medium (50 to 149), medium to large (150-399) and large (400+ employees). An Overall Winner is chosen from the four category winners.

http://http://www.bestworkplaces.co.nz

JRA Best Workplaces Awards 2009 – Finalists

The finalists are the top ten organisations ranked by their overall score in each size category (top five in the large workplace category), and are listed alphabetically.

At the end of the evening the ‘Overall Winner’ will be selected from amongst the category winners. And to mark the tenth year JRA has been running the survey, a new award – the ‘Five-Year League Award’ –will be presented to 2009 finalists who have achieve that status in five of the past six consecutive years.

Small Workplace category (20-49 employees)

ADInstruments

Auckland Radiation Oncology

BIG FM

Collection House (NZ)

GS1 New Zealand

Hyundai Motors NZ

Inspire Group

Retail Institute

Tamaki Healthcare

Vista Entertainment Solutions

Small-Medium Workplace category (50-149 employees)

Bell Tea & Coffee Company

British American Tobacco (NZ)

Brother International (NZ)

Colliers International New Zealand

New World Cambridge

New Zealand Council for Educational Research

Obex Medical

Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand

Roche Products (New Zealand)

Tranzqual ITO

Medium-Large Workplace category (150-399 employees)

AA Insurance

Barkers Mens Clothing

Brookfield New World

Henderson PAK'n SAVE

Intergen

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

Mars New Zealand

New World Te Rapa

Overland Footwear

South Taranaki District Council

Large Workplace category (400+ employees)

AMI Insurance

Flight Centre (NZ)

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts

Southern Cross Medical Care Society

Vero Insurance New Zealand

ENDS

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