Share your success in 2012 Awards

Does your organisation have a great story to tell about employee engagement and productivity? Entries have opened for the EEO Trust Work & Life Awards 2012. They showcase employers who help employees make the most of their time and talents, leading to greater productivity and a better bottom line.

EEO Trust chairman Michael Barnett, also CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, says that the Awards, now in their 15th year, are a valuable opportunity for employers of all sizes and sectors to share what they are doing to foster the behaviours and practices that drive greater engagement and productivity. "We all want our companies to be successful, and people are the key to that success," he says.

Past winners say that involvement in the Awards is simply good for business. Paul Smith is Talent Acquisition Manager for Deloitte, which was recognised last year in the Tomorrow's Workforce Award, which celebrates innovative responses to future employment challenges.

The accolade, for the firm's innovative use of social networking in recruitment, "is important recognition for us. The event itself is a great opportunity to talk to and learn from other organisations with similar problems in today's market, and it inspires you to think of new and innovative ways to tackle them."

Sharing success stories attracts positive media attention, according to Wynn Schollum, manager of Programme Incubator, the Hawkes' Bay District Health Board employment initiative that encourages teenagers to pursue health careers. It won two Awards last year - the Tomorrow's Workforce Award then the Supreme Award.

"The resulting publicity from radio, publications and networking has increased awareness about Programme Incubator," he says. "We have subsequently received invitations to present at conferences and promote the concept to new audiences."

Paul O'Brien is CEO of EasiYo Products, which was last year highly commended in its category, the Diversity Award, which recognises organisations making the most of a diverse workforce. He says Awards acknowledgement "has a halo effect on your business. And the recognition is good for your employment branding."

There are five categories in the EEO Trust Work & Life Awards, with a Supreme Winner chosen from the winners of each category. The categories are:

• Tomorrow's Workforce Award, which recognises innovative responses to tomorrow's employment challenges;
• The Diversity Award, for organisations which make the most of employee diversity;
• The Work & Life Award, which celebrates initiatives that create opportunities for greater engagement and productivity;
• The Skills Highway Award, which recognises workplaces which can show how they have helped improve their employees' reading, maths and communication skills;
• The Walk the Talk Award, which celebrates effective diversity leaders.

Entries for the EEO Trust Work & Life Awards 2012 close at midday on Thursday May 17, with the Awards gala dinner taking place in Auckland on August 30. Organisations of any size or sector can enter, whether or not they are members of the EEO Trust.

Download the Awards flyer and Entry Guidelines here.  See the stories of some of last year's  entrants and winners at www.youtube.com/eeotrust