Best employers for 2011 announced

Unilever's Antoinette Irvine

In addition to being ranked 4th on the overall Best Employer, Unilever SA ranked No 1 Large Sized Employer and No 1 FMCG Employer at the awards. Unilever SA HR VP, Antoinette Irvine, received the award on behalf of the company at an awards function in Johannesburg. In 2010, the company had ranked 5th in Large Sized Employer category and 11th in the overall Best Employer category.

According to Irvine, "People are at the heart of our business, we believe they are the reason for our success. We are very proud to see that this is now being acknowledged externally as well. We have worked very hard to get here, and we will continue to do our best to improve our scores next year."

The Index is a result of research, with findings independently audited by Grant Thornton South Africa. Organisations were rated in the following areas: organisation strategy; HR function; communication; diversity management; corporate social responsibility; knowledge management; talent management and engagement; performance management; and rewards and recognition.

According to Samantha Crous, the CRF Institute's country manager, the importance of the Best Employers campaign is that it recognises that, in a competitive labour market like South Africa where the business landscape has changed considerably over the past few years, success lies more than ever in an organisation's ability to distinguish itself by establishing and promoting excellent HR strategies and practices that can attract, retain and engage the right talent.

"The companies that are featured in this year's Best Employers campaign have shown innovation and creativity in addressing some of the challenges they face in the changing business arena. Adapting to an era built on a lean structure, the corporate world has realised that it's the value of relationships with employees, rather than the traditional bottom line that count.

"The latest research shows that more and more companies are turning their attention to engaging employees and have grasped the fact that engagement is about more than simply sticking a few posters on the wall in order to draw attention to certain aspects of an employee proposition. It's about getting people to believe in the vision of the company and how it makes a difference in South Africa and the world." She added that this is where Microsoft excelled, ahead of an outstanding group of companies and people strategies.

According to Jabulani Ndhlovu, HR director of Microsoft SA, the company's vision is to contribute to the economic success of South Africa and everyday living of the average South African. "Consistent with the ideals of our founders, we aim to bring technology to as many people as possible. Its focus is that of enabling businesses and South Africa to realise its full potential through innovative technologies.

"Our people and their potential are key to our vision. We look for people who are extremely passionate about technology and its ability to change the way the world lives and works. We have been incredibly successful in keeping our people vigorously engaged in this purpose."

He added that the company has been able to instil a culture of performance excellence in its employees. "We have big goals, dreams and aspirations for the future. We have great products and services, but our great people are what make it all come together so successfully," he concluded.

For more information, go to www.bestemployers.co.za.