2007 Best Places To Work Survey Entry Closing Soon

Less Than Two Weeks Remain To Participate in 2007 Best Places to Work Survey

Over the next ten days, more than 25,000 New Zealand employees will be completing this year's unlimited/JRA Best Places to Work Survey.

The annual survey - now in its eighth year - gives employees a confidential avenue to provide their employers with feedback on what they think of their organisation as a place to work. It also provides employers with a key tool to drive and measure the success of their company's human resource strategy.

The survey is the largest analysis of employee engagement undertaken in New Zealand.

Organisations are surveyed by leading workplace survey and analysis specialists, JRA (NZ) Ltd (formerly John Robertson & Associates), in partnership with unlimited magazine.

JRA director, John Robertson, says it is a well established fact that organisations viewed as a 'great places to work' by both existing and prospective staff achieve higher levels of performance and profitability.

"In today's marketplace, it's essential to retain great staff. Companies deemed as 'Great Places to Work' are able to attract higher calibre talent in larger numbers, reducing recruitment costs," he says.

"Results from our Best Places to Work Survey over the past eight years clearly show companies scoring highest in the survey not only have no trouble in retaining their people, but are also being targeted by potential employees who want to work for them."

Employees at each organisation taking part complete the survey in confidence - either online or in hard copy. Survey questions are based around eight themes including culture and values, common purpose, communication and cooperation, as well as learning and development, performance and recognition. Results are then instantly reported back to the organisation by JRA's online survey technology, while retaining each individual employee's anonymity.

Last year more than 26,500 people were surveyed from a record 232 organisations; including public, private and not-for-profit organisations ranging in size from 20 to over 3,500 employees.

"The survey represents a very real cross section of New Zealand workplaces," John Robertson says.

"One exciting aspect is the ability for companies to be able to benchmark their results. The survey provides a key performance tool about the level of engagement of their employees.

"And 'happy' employees who feel valued in their workplace lead to huge productivity gains through a more highly motivated, committed, experienced and capable workforce.

"We've also noted significantly higher levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty from those same employees - leading to increased bottom line for the company."

Mr Robertson says while it's close to closing date to participate in the survey, companies seeking to benchmark their employees' attitudes can still do so before the end of September.

"Those organisations achieving the highest overall scores in the unlimited/JRA Best Places to Work Survey will be announced at an Awards ceremony early in 2008. All participating organisations have our assurance of confidentiality."

ENDS

© Scoop Media