Become an employer of choice

With the demand for quality employees and scarcity of available talent intensifying, many organisations are promoting themselves as Employers of Choice. But what does it mean to be an employer of choice and what can we learn from those who have rightfully earned this title?

The fundamental difference between a good organisation and an Employer of Choice is in the area of employee engagement. Employers of Choice foster higher levels of employee engagement; that is greater commitment to the organisation and a willingness to exert extra effort on the organisation’s behalf.

In a recent survey*, 76% of employees at Employer of Choice organisations indicated that their organisations motivated them to contribute more than was normally required to complete their work. This compared to 53% at other organisations. Revenue and profit growth at these choice organisations also outperformed those of other organisations.

Learning from Employers of Choice

When we review the practices of Employer Of Choice organisations it is evident that employee engagement is not driven by one single factor. Instead, engagement is driven by the employees’ alignment with the organisation’s goals and strategy, structure, culture, systems and people practices.

This suggests that in order to keep an organisation competitive and capable of attracting and retaining quality employees, you need to consistently review and address:

	Leadership effectiveness, quality and practice
	Development opportunities for staff and clarity of career path opportunities
	The organisation’s strategy and goals, and how they are communicated, shared and measured
	The reinforcement of the organisation’s values and culture through leadership practices and formal systems
	The branding and promise of working for your organisation and how this is delivered.

Are you concerned about employee engagement in your organisation? Do you need practical assistance with your people systems to support you in becoming an employer of choice? If so, contact Tania Hannath of People Axis on (03) 9894 2805 or visit their website at www.peopleaxis.com.au.

* The Australia & New Zealand 2006/7 Best Employers survey by Hewitt Associates

Published : 3 August 2008