Employers who encourage their staff to improve their performance and actively promote their career development could qualify for an Award, launched by the Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Trust.
The EEO Trust Work and Life Awards 2012 will recognise and reward outstanding employers.
Trust chairman and Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Michael Barnett said that the Awards scheme aims to showcase forward-thinking, innovative employers who create environments where everyone can perform to their potential and contribute effectively to an organisation’s productivity.
“We all want our companies to be successful and people are the key to success. It is clear that if people are encouraged to make the most of their skills and balance their responsibilities at work and at home, they will be more committed and employers will get more of that magic workplace ingredient, namely, discretionary effort,” he said.
Large, medium and small enterprises in New Zealand have in place career development programmes that encourage greater employee engagement and improved productivity, he said.
Organisations of any size or sector, whether or not they are members of the EEO Trust can enter the Awards, entries for which will close on May 17.
Awards will be presented at a gala dinner in Auckland on August 30.
“Flexible work programmes, literacy and numeracy training and projects to encourage greater workforce cohesion are among the initiatives that have been celebrated over the Awards’ life,” Mr Barnett said.
Past winners
Bupa Care Services won an award last year for its culture change programme called, ‘Personal Best,’ which aims to create a more collaborative and flexible working environment for its 3300 staff.
The company’s organisational development director Sylvia Casella said entering the Awards was easy.
“The EEO Trust could not have been more supportive and encouraging. No question was left unanswered and the encouragement from the team was great,” she said.
Yoghurt manufacturer ‘EasiYo’ also won an award last year.
Chief executive Paul O’Brien of ‘EasiYo’,’ manufacturer of yogurt, which also won an award last year, said the “Award had a halo effect on the company’s business” and that it was good for employment branding.
There are five categories including ‘Tomorrow’s Workforce Award,’ ‘The Diversity,’ ‘The Work and Life Award,’ ‘The Skills Highway Award,’ and ‘The Walk the Talk Award.’
A ‘Supreme Winner’ will be chosen from the winners of each category.
For more information, visit www.eeotrust.org.nz
