Australia’s most attractive employers revealed

In the ultimate acknowledgement of an organisation having “passionate, raving fans”, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has been voted Australia’s most attractive employer at the third annual Randstad Award.

ABC’s win cements its position as Australia’s most attractive employer, following its second place finish at last year’s Awards. This year it edged out perennial favourite Virgin Australia and consistent top 10 performer BAE Systems.

The Randstad Award, presented in front of senior executives of 150 of Australia’s largest employers last night at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney, recognised the organisations which Australians perceive as the most attractive employers in the country.

Deb Loveridge, managing director Asia Pacific of Randstad, said being recognised as the nation’s most attractive employer is an impressive achievement, and management and employees of the ABC should be extremely proud.

“Winning the Randstad Award this year, following a strong result last year, means the ABC can confidently lay claim to being Australia’s most attractive employer.”

In terms of attractiveness amongst the Australian population, the ABC is particularly attractive to women, the older generation (60-64 years of age), and ranked extremely favourably across all key criteria including interesting job content, good learning & development opportunities, long term job security, career progression opportunities, strong workplace culture and their ability to offer a good work-life balance.

While ABC took out the overall Randstad Award, according to Australians, the most attractive industry to work for in 2013 is Aviation, with Virgin Australia winning this industry sector award. Mining & resources is perceived as the second most attractive sector in Australia with last year’s Randstad Award winner Newcrest Mining, securing first position; and fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) took out third most attractive industry, with Coca-Cola being awarded most attractive company in FMCG in Australia.

The media sector increased in attractiveness for Aussies in 2013, with Channel Seven appearing for the first time in the list of top 20 most attractive employers in the country, achieving an impressive fourth position.

For the first time this year, Federal Government departments were included in the Randstad Award research with multiple entries featuring in the top 20 including Department of Immigration & Citizenship (6th), Department of Health & Ageing (7th), Department of Defence (11th) and Australia Post (12th).

All organisations on the list, Loveridge said, could lay claim to the high regard felt towards them by “passionate, raving fans”, who are the “ultimate brand ambassadors”.

“The stakes for organisations in Australia are high. The market is becoming more and more competitive and people won’t wait around if there is a more attractive option available to them,” she said.

“People will be attracted to employers if they offer the incentives, criteria and working conditions that match their changing expectations.

“While salary and benefits will always be important, the Randstad Award research highlights the many different factors which Australians find attractive in prospective employers.”

Citing the inclusion this year of a waste management company as a strong contender just outside the top 20, Loveridge added it doesn’t matter what the industry is, all employers can find a way to package what they have to offer in an attractive way.

“Just because you can’t outbid your competitor, doesn’t mean your organisation is automatically less desirable in the eyes of employees,” she said.

The Randstad Award Top 20 most attractive organisations in Australia are: