STDC a finalist in Best Workplaces Survey for second year

South Taranaki District Council’s CEO Craig Stevenson was absolutely thrilled to hear that for the second year running, his organisation was a finalist in the JRA Best Workplaces Survey for medium-large businesses (150- 399 employees) but also sees this as an accolade for the local government sector.

The JRA Best Workplaces Survey is New Zealand’s largest annual workplace climate-employee engagement survey and uses confidential feedback from organisations’ employees to rate their employers.

Almost 31,000 employees from 245 organisations across the country took part in the survey this year, up from last year’s 216.

The survey is done by asking employees of participating organisations a range of questions, grouped into categories such as culture and values, learning and development, reward and recognition, communication and co-operation.

“I am really proud of our organisation and our people,” says Mr Stevenson. “The last 12 months have been particularly challenging, but we have come out stronger for it, which shows the true character of our organisation,” he says.

Mr Stevenson believes the reason why the Council has rated so highly comes down to the quality of its people and the great culture that exits. “We employ people that have pride in their organisation, are passionate about their district and are totally committed to doing their best for our residents,” he says. The local government sector tends to attract people with this value set.

Mr Stevenson says the culture which exists in an organisation is vital. “We are one big, professional family with a very positive can – do attitude. People have that positive attitude when they feel they are being valued, when they feel their contribution is important to the goal of the organisation and when they have a sense of achievement. An engaged and satisfied employee is a far more productive one.”

Now in its 11th year, the Best Workplaces Survey has become the benchmark for best employer claims.

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