CATEGORIES & CRITERIA

The Employer of Choice award recognises an organisation for its outstanding employee policies and practices, including providing benefits, health and safety protection, innovative training opportunities, and more. 

The judges will select the organisations that will be part of this category, and the companies will have to accept the nomination in order to be considered for this award.

Team Award. Goes to a team of 4 to 10 members, each of whom works cooperatively to give the HR function a value much greater than the sum of their parts.

With diversity being an essential aspect of modern workplaces, creating a culture of inclusion and embracing differences is no longer just a social responsibility, but a strategic imperative. The Best Diversity and Inclusion Strategies Award recognises organisations that have demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in their workplaces.

Judging criteria:

• Demonstrated commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace culture that supports equality and fosters innovation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement effective diversity and inclusion strategies that address the unique needs of the organisation, its employees, and wider community.
• Demonstrated ability to track and measure the impact of diversity and inclusion strategies and continuously improve outcomes.

Continuous learning and upskilling have always been essential for employees to stay competitive, but the need has been even further amplified by the rapidly-changing business landscape that we find ourselves in today.

With this in mind, the Best Training Interventions Award, part of the inaugural HR Stars Awards in 2024, recognises organisations that have implemented effective skills development programmes to enhance the overall capabilities of their workforce.

Whether it is about building general working skills, cross-training staff in new or adjacent fields, or developing specific capabilities, the award will celebrate the organisation that has demonstrated the most effective use of training strategies to support overall employee development.

Judging criteria:

• The ability of the nominee organisation to identify and address skills gaps and training needs in the workforce;
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement effective training programs that enhance employee skills, knowledge, and performance;
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate the effectiveness of those training programmes and continuously improve outcomes.

Employee wellbeing is an essential aspect of any successful organisation. Prioritising both the physical and mental health of the workforce can lead to improved engagement, productivity, and retention, among other key people metrics.

With this in mind, the Best Health and Wellness Interventions Award celebrates the organisation that has demonstrated the most effective use of wellbeing strategies, including the full range of interventions from wellness programs and mental health support to work-life balance initiatives, and other employee benefits.

Judging criteria:

• Demonstrated commitment to promoting employee health and wellbeing through all levels of the organisation
• Successful implementation of effective programmes that address the unique needs and priorities of the workforce
• Ability to track and measure the impact of health and wellness programmes and continuously improve outcomes

With diversity being an essential aspect of modern workplaces, creating a culture of inclusion and embracing differences is no longer just a social responsibility, but a strategic imperative.

Flexible working typically involves offering employees the ability to work from home or other remote locations, work flexible hours, or work part-time. Hybrid working takes this one step further by combining in-person and remote work, allowing employees to split their time between the office and other locations.

With this in mind, the Best Flexible Working / Hybrid Working Strategies Award, part of the inaugural HR Stars Awards in 2024, recognises the companies and organisations that are leading the way in creating flexible and hybrid working arrangements that benefit both employees and the business.

Judging criteria:

• Effectiveness: How effective are the flexible and hybrid working arrangements in meeting the needs of both employees and the business?
• Inclusivity: To what extent do these arrangements support diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace?
• Adaptability: How well can the arrangements adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifts in employee needs or unexpected events like pandemics or natural disasters?

Individual award. Recognises a leader who has made the greatest contribution to the advancement of human resources in their organisation. This is an award for the heads of HR, CHROs, and HR Directors—leaders with full authority and responsibility for the HR function.

Individual award – For CEOs, COOs, etc. C-Suite leaders who are NOT specifically in charge of HR, but who have a key role to play in advocating for and engaging with their HR teams.

Given to the most promising young professional in the field of human resources. The award will recognise an emerging leader who is making a difference in his/her organisation with his/her accomplishments.

Workplace culture refers to the shared values, beliefs, and practices that shape an organisation’s working environment. It encompasses everything from the organisation’s mission and vision to the way employees interact with one another, as well as the company’s approach to diversity and inclusion.

A positive workplace culture can enhance employee engagement, motivation, and overall well-being, leading to improved job satisfaction and productivity. It can also attract and retain top talent, as employees are more likely to remain with an organization that prioritises their needs and values.

With this in mind, the Best Workplace Culture and Environment, part of the inaugural HR Stars Awards in 2024, recognises the importance of creating a positive workplace culture and environment. The award encourages organisations to prioritise their employees’ well-being and create a supportive working environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation.

Judging criteria:

• Commitment to creating a positive workplace culture
• Approach to employee engagement, including communication and recognition
• Approach to physical workplace environment, including office layout and features

The world of HR is constantly evolving, and one of the most significant trends in recent years has been the rise of digital HR. Digital HR, or the use of HR technology, has transformed the way organisations manage their HR functions, from recruiting and onboarding to performance management and employee engagement. 

By leveraging technology, organisations can streamline HR processes, reduce administrative burden, and increase efficiency, freeing up HR professionals’ time to focus on strategic initiatives such as talent development and culture-building.

The Best Digital HR, or use of HR Technology, part of the inaugural HR Stars Awards programme in 2024,  recognises the organisations that have successfully integrated digital HR into their HR strategies, driving positive change in their workplace.

Judges will look at these key criteria when assessing the finalists and eventual winner of the Best Digital HR, or use of HR Technology Award. They are:

• Effectiveness: How effectively has the HR technology been implemented to meet the organisation’s HR goals? 
• Impact on Employee Engagement and Satisfaction: To what extent has the HR technology had a positive impact on employee engagement and satisfaction? 
• Innovation: How innovative was the implementation of the HR technology?