It is that time of year again: Aon Hewitt’s Best Employers List has been released. Who made the cut and what did they do right?
It is that time of year again: Aon Hewitt’s Best Employers List has been released. Who made the cut and what did they do right?
Despite the uncertain economic climate, organisations that retain focus on employee engagement are the ones fairing the best.
“All employers are confronted by the same set of economic circumstances,” Stephen Hickey, employment engagement lead at Aon Hewitt said when discussing the results of 2013’s Best Employers List. As always, this year’s results are based on those with the highest levels of employee engagement and outstanding people practices.
Hickey indicated employers with better people practices would find themselves with better overall return. “In essence, while we continue to see Best Employers engaging, building leadership and taking a differentiated position in the employment market, the strategy for delivery has evolved over the last few years. Difficult times are not the factor. It’s how we respond to them that counts,” he said.
By way of example, Hickey cited Marriott Hotels & Resorts, which achieved Best of the Best status, as an organisation that has demonstrated excellence in a number of key areas.
This includes its ability to promote a highly aligned culture that supports the overall company aim of consistent and superior customer service. The company has also had to address attracting and retaining quality employees despite local skills shortages and relatively high wage costs at a time of global cost constraint and productivity focus.
Of the 125 organisations reviewed, the following made Aon Hewitt’s Best Employers List of 2013:
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Chorus
Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers
Employment Innovations
Express Data, FedEx Express (New Zealand)
Fiat Chrysler Group
Frucor Beverages Australia
Frucor Beverages New Zealand
Hilti (Aust.) Pty Ltd
Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Millward Brown Australia
Peoplebank Australia Limited, Shire Australia Pty Ltd
Silver Chef Ltd, Smartsalary Pty Ltd
STIHL Pty Ltd
The Wrigley Company Limited
Wood & Grieve Engineers
Key HR take-aways
What can organisations do to top the list next year? Aon Hewitt advised a few points that HR can take-away from this year’s findings:
