Flight Centre Named NZ’s Best Place to Work

Media Release 23 February 2007

Flight Centre Named New Zealand’s Best Place to Work

Flight Centre has been voted the country’s top employer in an annual nationwide workplace survey.

It is also the fifth consecutive year the company has been named Best Place to Work (large workplace).

In the 2006 Unlimited/JRA Best Places to Work survey, Flight Centre was singled out as the best employer in the country.

Flight Centre human resources director Sue Matson was especially proud of the win, describing the award for overall best employer as a real endorsement of the company’s philosophies and the value it places on its staff.

“The philosophies and the culture are the backbone of everything we do, which is what makes our company such a great place to work - it comes from such a good foundation,” she said.

Ms Matson said everything from creating basic work place philosophies to well structured incentive systems and recruiting to fit culture have had ongoing benefits at Flight Centre Limited.

“In this extremely tight labour market, the conditions are ideal for workers to demand a high level of support from their employer, and for businesses to gain a recruitment advantage through introducing and promoting their work life balance programmes. It's wonderful to be recognised for our efforts in this area.”

Identifying two of the biggest stressors outside work as being money and health, Flight Centre Limited, which is made up of its ‘red and white’ Flight Centre stores and corporate travel provider FCm Travel Solutions, set up Moneywise and Healthwise to assist their staff in achieving their goals.

Ms Matson said a big part of satisfaction, and therefore retention, was also letting people know, and reminding them on a regular basis, that they had a future with the company if they wanted it.

“We place a strong emphasis on developing our people’s abilities, fostering leadership skills and identifying future leaders,” Matson said.

“We also believe there are no limits to what our staff can achieve. As a result, our salaries are uncapped and we are always in search of new ways to further the personal and professional development of our staff.”

Flight Centre general manager Rick Hamilton, who like many in senior management began his career with the company as a consultant, said despite having more than 800 staff across more than 180 stores and businesses in New Zealand, Flight Centre’s focus on maintaining a team atmosphere and rewarding staff successes has long been an integral part of the company’s philosophies.

Regular social events such as monthly ‘buzz night’ staff celebrations, annual awards and ongoing incentive-based initiatives not only motivate staff but encourage a strong team atmosphere.

Globally, Flight Centre Limited has more than 7000 staff in more than 1500 stores and businesses.

ENDS

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