Microsoft Wins Employer of Choice Award

Microsoft Wins Employer of Choice Award

Microsoft New Zealand has been named the Recruit IT Employer of Choice winner in the annual New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards, for its flexible working culture, career development, and health and wellness policies.

Winners were revealed at a Gala Dinner in Auckland on Friday night, with the awards recognising excellence in the New Zealand hi-tech industry across a variety of categories featuring companies, products and individuals.

“We are delighted to be acknowledged as one of New Zealand’s best employers,” says Kevin Ackhurst, Microsoft New Zealand’s Country Manager.

“Over the past two years we have strived to create a company culture that makes work and life easier for our employees. We strongly believe happier and healthier people will be more productive and focused on their work, and we are committed to maintaining this culture here at Microsoft New Zealand.”

Finalists in the majority of categories undertook face-to-face interviews with a line up of local judges, as well as being scrutinised by a global panel of international judges.

The Hi-Tech Awards judges for 2010 said Microsoft New Zealand stood out as a global organisation which has invested the time, energy and thought leadership to develop a local culture that resonates with its employees.

Microsoft initiatives, such as ‘Balanced Living for Busy People’ and ‘Rebalance Week’, were commended for raising the awareness of health and fitness and encouraging employees to lead healthier lives. The company also offers flexible working hours for parents.

The award win is backed up by Microsoft’s internal research into the company’s culture, the Microsoft Culture Index, which shows company culture is up from 60 percent to 70 percent.

Other winners at the New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards 2010 were:
• PricewaterhouseCoopers Hi-Tech Company of the Year: Datacom
• NZX Emerging Company Award: TracMap
• Dell Innovative Hardware Product: EROAD
• Duncan Cotterill Innovative Software Product Award: Unlimited Realities
• HiFX Innovative Service Product Award: EROAD
• International Business Wales Hi-Tech Exporter of the year: Compac Sorting Equipment
• Maxnet Young Achiever Award: Anu Shrestha (Vodafone)
• SwayTech Hi-Tech Journalist Award: Anthony Doesburg
• NZ Hi-Tech Inspiring Individual: Greg Cross

ENDS

© Scoop Media