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 finalists in this category are selected from organizations that have consistently excellent impressions among the finalists for other categories. We recommend being active in at least three categories to have a significant impact here.

Judging criteria:

• Organisational Strategy and Commitment: Demonstrated integration of employee-centric policies into the overall organisational strategy.
• Employee Engagement: Demonstrated effectiveness of initiatives through enhanced levels of employee engagement, satisfaction, and trust.
• Retention and Career Development: Demonstrated positive impact of HR strategies on employee retention, career growth, and development opportunities.
• Content Quality: Accuracy, clarity, and strength of information presented, supported with relevant evidence such as files, photos, charts, metrics, or testimonials.

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.

HR teams play a vital role in shaping organisational culture, driving performance, and enabling long-term business success. The Best HR Team Award recognises HR teams that exemplify excellence through collaboration, leadership, and impact. This award celebrates teams that work effectively together and in partnership with the wider business to deliver meaningful initiatives that strengthen both employee experience and organisational outcomes.

Judging criteria:

• Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within the HR function and cross-functionally across the organisation.
• Impact: Demonstrated significant contributions of the HR team to organisational goals, employee engagement, and overall workplace satisfaction.
• Leadership: Demonstrated effectiveness of the HR team’s leadership in driving HR initiatives, inspiring collaboration, and fostering a positive, inclusive work culture.
• Content Quality: Accuracy, clarity, and strength of information presented, supported with relevant evidence such as files, photos, charts, metrics, or testimonials.

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 shown exceptional commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace through effective, innovative, and impactful initiatives.

Judging criteria:

• Program Effectiveness: Demonstrated ability of strategies to meaningfully promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organisation.
• Innovation: Demonstrated use of creative, forward-thinking approaches to address diversity and inclusion challenges.
• Relevance: Demonstrated alignment of initiatives with current industry trends, workforce needs, and organisational opportunities.
• Content Quality: Accuracy, clarity, and strength of information presented, supported with relevant evidence such as files, photos, charts, metrics, or testimonials.

Continuous learning and upskilling have always been essential for employees to remain competitive, but the need has become even more critical in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

The Best Training Interventions Award recognises organisations that have successfully implemented impactful skills development programmes to strengthen workforce capabilities. Whether focused on building foundational skills, cross-training staff in new or adjacent fields, or developing specialised expertise, this award celebrates organisations that use training as a strategic tool to drive both employee growth and organisational success.

Judging criteria:

• Relevance: Demonstrated alignment of training programmes with organisational goals and employee development needs.
• Innovation: Demonstrated use of creative and leading-edge strategies in the design and delivery of training interventions.
• Employee Satisfaction: Demonstrated positive employee experiences, with training initiatives contributing to a sense of value, motivation, and career growth.
• Content Quality: Accuracy, clarity, and strength of information presented, supported with relevant evidence such as files, photos, charts, metrics, or testimonials.

Employee health and wellbeing are fundamental to building a resilient, engaged, and high-performing workforce. The Best Health and Wellness Interventions Award recognises organisations that have implemented outstanding programmes designed to support the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of their employees. This award celebrates initiatives that go beyond compliance to create meaningful, lasting impact on employee health and workplace culture.

Judging criteria:

• Program Design: Demonstrated ability to design health and wellness programmes that effectively address employees’ diverse needs.
• Innovation: Demonstrated use of creative and forward-thinking strategies to tackle health and wellness challenges in the workplace.
• Relevance: Demonstrated alignment of initiatives with current workforce needs, industry trends, and organisational goals.
• Content Quality: Accuracy, clarity, and strength of information presented, supported with relevant evidence such as files, photos, charts, metrics, or testimonials.

Flexible and hybrid working have become essential features of modern workplaces, allowing employees to balance professional and personal commitments while maintaining productivity. Flexible working can include remote work, flexible hours, or part-time arrangements, while hybrid models combine in-person and remote work for greater choice and balance.

The Best Flexible Working Strategies Award recognises organisations that have successfully designed and implemented flexible and hybrid work practices that deliver meaningful benefits for both employees and the business. This award celebrates employers that set the standard for adaptable, inclusive, and high-performing workplaces.

Judging criteria:

• Accessibility: Demonstrated ability to provide flexible working options that are inclusive and accessible to different employee groups.
• Innovation: Demonstrated use of creative and forward-thinking approaches in designing flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Results: Demonstrated positive impact of flexible working strategies on employee work-life balance, wellbeing, and productivity.
• Content Quality: Accuracy, clarity, and strength of information presented, supported with relevant evidence such as files, photos, charts, metrics, or testimonials.

Individual award. The Best HR Leader Award recognises an exceptional individual who has made the greatest contribution to the advancement of human resources in their organisation. This award is dedicated to HR heads, CHROs, and HR Directors who hold full authority and responsibility for the HR function, demonstrating vision, influence, and measurable impact on people and business outcomes.

Years of HR Experience: Typically 15+ years in HR, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. Should not be less than 1 year in the current company.

Judging criteria:

• Strategic Vision: Demonstrated ability to develop and execute HR strategies that are aligned with organisational goals and priorities.
• Leadership Impact: Demonstrated influence on HR practices, employee development, and the cultivation of a positive organisational culture.
• Innovation and Adaptability: Demonstrated innovation and adaptability in addressing HR challenges, embracing industry trends, and implementing forward-thinking solutions.
• Content Quality: Accuracy, clarity, and strength of information presented, supported with relevant evidence such as files, photos, charts, metrics, or testimonials.

Individual award – The Best CEO / Executive Leader with an HR Focus Award recognises outstanding C-Suite leaders — including CEOs, COOs, and other executives — who, while not directly responsible for HR, play a pivotal role in championing people strategies. This award celebrates leaders who actively integrate HR into organisational decision-making, advocate for their HR teams, and foster a culture where employees can thrive.

Judging criteria:

• HR Integration: Demonstrated ability to integrate HR considerations into strategic business decisions, ensuring alignment between people and organisational goals.
• Cultural Leadership: Demonstrated commitment to fostering a positive, supportive, and inclusive organisational culture.
• HR Initiatives: Demonstrated role in driving impactful HR initiatives that strengthen employee engagement, development, and overall workplace experience.
• Content Quality: Accuracy, clarity, and strength of information presented, supported with relevant evidence such as files, photos, charts, metrics, or testimonials.

Individual award – The Best Up and Coming HR Leader Award recognises the most promising young professional in the field of human resources. This award highlights an emerging leader who is already making a meaningful difference within their organisation through their accomplishments, fresh perspectives, and commitment to driving positive change. It celebrates the next generation of HR leaders who demonstrate the potential to shape the future of the profession.

Years of HR Experience: Typically 3–10 years in HR. Should be above 6 months in current company.

Judging criteria:

• Leadership Potential: Demonstrated potential to lead HR initiatives and inspire teams, showing readiness for greater leadership responsibilities.
• Innovation: Demonstrated ability to introduce innovative HR practices or enhance existing processes to improve effectiveness.
• Impact: Demonstrated measurable contributions to HR effectiveness, employee development, or organisational culture.
• Content Quality: Accuracy, clarity, and strength of information presented, supported with relevant evidence such as files, photos, charts, metrics, or testimonials.

Workplace culture encompasses the shared values, beliefs, and practices that shape an organisation’s environment — from its mission and vision to the way employees interact and collaborate. A strong, positive culture can inspire engagement, boost motivation, and enhance employee well-being, leading to higher satisfaction and productivity. It also serves as a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent, ensuring long-term organisational success.

The Best Workplace Culture and Environment Award recognises organisations that prioritise their employees’ well-being and foster a culture that encourages creativity, collaboration, and innovation. This award celebrates companies that create supportive and inclusive environments where employees feel valued and empowered to thrive.

Judging criteria:

• Cultural Alignment: Demonstrated alignment of workplace culture with the organisation’s core values, mission, and objectives.
• Innovation and Collaboration: Demonstrated ability of the culture to foster innovation, teamwork, and effective collaboration across all levels.
• Employee Satisfaction: Demonstrated evidence that employees feel respected, motivated, and valued in the workplace.
• Content Quality: Accuracy, clarity, and strength of information presented, supported with relevant evidence such as files, photos, charts, metrics, or testimonials.

The world of HR is rapidly evolving, with digital HR emerging as one of the most significant drivers of change in recent years. By leveraging technology, organisations are transforming the way they manage people — from recruitment and onboarding to performance management, learning, and employee engagement. Digital HR not only streamlines processes and reduces administrative burden but also empowers HR professionals to focus on strategic priorities such as talent development, culture-building, and innovation.

The Best Digital HR Award recognises organisations that have successfully integrated digital HR solutions into their strategies and operations, driving efficiency, improving employee experiences, and enabling meaningful organisational change.

Judging criteria:

• Technology Integration: Demonstrated effectiveness in embedding digital technology within HR processes and operations.
• User Experience: Demonstrated accessibility, usability, and adoption of digital HR platforms and tools by both employees and HR professionals.
• Innovation: Demonstrated use of forward-thinking, innovative digital solutions that contribute to HR effectiveness, efficiency, and impact.
• Content Quality: Accuracy, clarity, and strength of information presented, supported with relevant evidence such as files, photos, charts, metrics, or testimonials.