People power: Renault Australia’s HR manager Jennifer Gale with Aon Hewitt Pacific CEO Steven Gaffney.

RENAULT Australia has again received official accreditation as a ‘best employer’ in the annual program run by human resources and management consultancy Aon Hewitt.

Backing up its accreditation last year, Renault is one of 14 organisations – and the only automotive brand – listed among the 2016 ‘best employers’ in Australia and New Zealand, as determined by Aon Hewitt.

Renault Australia human resources manager Jennifer Gale was presented with an award by Aon Hewitt Pacific chief executive Steven Gaffney at a ceremony in Sydney this month.

Operating since 2001, Aon’s ‘best employer’ program is billed as the largest employee research project and market practice audit in Australia and New Zealand.

As in previous years, eligibility for accreditation involves completion of an employee opinion survey, a comprehensive ‘people practices inventory’, ‘people initiatives inventory’ and an organisational audit.

Using this qualitative and quantitative data, an independent judging panel then determines the ‘best employers’ and the coveted ‘best of the best’ winner, which this year went to tech giant Cisco Systems.

Accreditation is seen as a reflection of strong management and a highly engaged workforce, with employees who are connected to overall strategies of the organisation – such as sales goals and profitability – and are inspired and motivated to perform at their best for the company.

Justin Hocevar

Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar said he was “very humbled by this recognition”.

“Our team is made up of dynamic and passionate individuals who have collectively contributed to the significant growth of the Renault brand in the Australian market,” he said.

“I would like to extend my thanks to every member of the Renault Australia team for their contribution to the continued success of our business and the positive, supportive working environment we have created.”

Mr Hocevar also said Aon Hewitt’s employee engagement survey allowed the company to “better understand what drives a positive working environment and to refine our internal processes to nurture these qualities”.

According to Aon Hewitt Pacific head of engagement Reetta Makinen, every one of this year’s ‘best employers’ rate their strong culture and employee engagement as “a core competitive advantage”.

She said these employers “engage employees to stay at the organisation, speak highly of their employer and strive to deliver discretionary effort for the organisation”.

The other accredited organisations this year were: Blackmores, Chorus New Zealand Ltd, Coca-Cola Amatil New Zealand, DHL Express (New Zealand) Limited, Eden Brae Homes, Estee Lauder Companies (both in Australia and New Zealand), Federal Express Pacific LLC, Online Education Services, SEEK, Wood and Grieve Engineers, and Z Energy.

By Terry Martin