Airline flies high in staff satisfaction

Air New Zealand has been voted the country’s most attractive employer.

The Randstad Award was handed out in Auckland last night. Last year’s winner, the Department of Conservation, placed second, and Customs was third.

Brien Keegan, country manager of Randstad New Zealand, said it was not surprising to see the airline win.

‘‘Air New Zealand was one of the first companies worldwide to win the Randstad Award for three consecutive years, in 2011, 2012 and 2013,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s fantastic to see Air New Zealand back in the winner’s circle and recognised as one of the country’s top employers.

‘‘Over 60 per cent of respondents indicated that they would like to work for Air New Zealand and rated them highly as employers who offer a ‘pleasant working atmosphere’, and a have ‘very good reputation’.’’

Five of the top 10 most attractive workplaces are from the education sector.

The annual Randstad employer branding research shows almost 40 per cent of respondents say they would like to work in education and training services.

‘‘The education sector rates highly in almost all factors that employees take into consideration when choosing their next employer,’’ Keegan said.

These included reputation, meaningful work, career prospects and a pleasant working environment.

‘‘This sector rated highly as offering jobseekers employment at organisations with a strong reputation, engaging and meaningful work with good career prospects and in pleasant working environments.’’

The top 20 are: Air New Zealand, DOC, Customs, TVNZ, Auckland University, Victoria University, Otago University, AUT, Unitec, House of Travel, Canterbury University, ASB, IBM, Millennium Hotels, Spark, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Massey University, Kiwibank, Internal Affairs and MBIE.