Flight Centre Named Best Large Workplace Employer

Media Release 29 February 2008

Flight Centre Named New Zealand’s Best Large Workplace Employer

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

It is the sixth consecutive year the company has been named Best Place to Work (large workplace) in the Unlimited/JRA Best Places to Work Awards.

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

“Flight Centre’s culture is the backbone of everything we do and what makes our company such a great place to work,” she said.

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

“We are experiencing the lowest level of unemployment in New Zealand since records began in 1986, making the conditions perfect for workers to demand a high level of support from their employer.

“Businesses have to have a genuine work life balance programme to have a recruitment and retention advantage, and we are very pleased to be recognised for the work that has gone into making our employee benefits the best in the country.”

Flight Centre Limited, which includes the well-known retail stores as well as corporate travel provider FCm Travel Solutions, identified money and health as the biggest stressors outside work and set up ‘Moneywise’ and ‘Healthwise’ departments, employing three full time staff to assist employees in achieving their goals.

Matson said a big part of job satisfaction, and therefore retention, is reminding employees on a regular basis that they have a career path with the company if they want 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 said despite having more than 850 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 staff celebrations, annual awards and ongoing incentive-based initiatives not only motivate staff but encourage a strong team atmosphere.

Flight Centre Limited has more than 8000 staff in more than 1500 stores and businesses across the globe, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Hong Kong, India and China.

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