CRF announces SA’S 2012/2013 Best Employers

O LD MUTUAL, Microsoft SA and MTN are the best employers in South Africa, according to the CRF Institute’s annual Best Employers Certification Index for 2012/13.

This is the first year that the Best Employers rating has certified three top category leaders, each one heading up its size category: Old Mutual in the Giants category (for companies with more than 10 001 employees); MTN in the Large category (for those with 1001 to 10 000 employees); and Microsoft SA in the Medium category (up to 1000 employees).

Seventy-three SA organisations were certified this year– the largest number since the Best Employer campaign was launched by the CRF Institute in South Africa five years ago.

Samantha Crous, CRF’s Country Manager, says the increase in certifications indicates a promising rise in awareness that excellent HR practices can give companies a competitive advantage. This is particularly in the context of a combative labour market and increasingly complex business environment.

The certification standards are rigorous and not all companies that apply are successful, she explains. About 12 percent of participants this year did not meet the criteria in a thorough, objective assessment of key drivers, practices and policies.

“The review considers general criteria such as financial and nonmonetary benefits, working conditions, training and career development, and company culture,” says Crous.

Employers were scored in: organisation strategy; the HR function; communication; diversity management; corporate social responsibility; knowledge management; talent management and engagement; performance management; rewards and recognition.

The findings were then independently audited by Grant Thornton South Africa.

“In a climate wherein companies expect more than ever from their employees, it is gratifying to see that top employers are realising the

and value of and investing in their relationships with employees, and the people component of the triple bottom line,” says Crous.

She explains that developing and growing potential is one of the primary features of a Best Employer.

At the top of the Giants category is Old Mutual. Anisha Archary, HR director, says, “Our people strategy enables our business strategy; built on a compelling vision that ours is a great place to work with people who do great things,"

Home-grown, and now operational across six continents, the financial services company employs 21 500 people, of the total global workforce of 50 000, in emerging markets. She says the secret ingredient is values-led and customer-centric business. The employee value proposition ranges from global career opportunities, competitive reward offerings, developing talent, focusing on building future fit leaders, and a winning culture to achieve as one committed team.

Microsoft South Africa took top honours from an outstanding group of participants in the medium-sized company category. Mteto Nyati, its SA md, says, “We face the same economic or market circumstances as our peers. Where we can differentiate ourselves is in the way we focus on our people strategy. Our aim is to create an organisation made up of people who realise their full potential and who are motivated to perform beyond just their usual duties. When people are developing and growing, it benefits the organisation, and this is a win-win situation for both the individual and the company.”

MTN headed the larged-sized business category and if there is one word on the lips of every employee, its innovation, according to Themba Nyathi, chief HR Officer. He says. “Economic growth can only be realised if the country embraces full ICT technologies that are accessible to all. We live in a modern high-tech world and all our people are encouraged to upskill themselves in order to remain relevant into the future. Moreover, going forward, the economy is all about intellectual property.”