Award Categories

Leadership

1. Best Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

Equal opportunity employment goes beyond numbers and quotas, to unlock inclusive policies that do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, training or promoting whatsoever. The winning entry should demonstrate that the organisation has taken active steps in recognising and celebrating all forms of diversity, not limited to race, gender, age, sexuality, culture and physical capabilities; and has put in place policies for inclusion across the workforce.

2. Best ESG Programme

This category recognises HR teams who have helped drive and incorporate sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors as an organisational imperative. Judges will be looking for how the ESG strategy was used to enhance organisational culture, pride and loyalty amongst employees.

3. Best First-Time Manager Programme

Organisations that provide robust support to help individual contributors transition to become first-time managers and instil confidence when diving into their new role will be shortlisted as finalists. Judges will crown teams whose programmes set new managers up for success in their new role, by equipping them with the tools, knowledge and behaviours that they need to build and motivate their team.

4. Best Graduate Training Programme

This award recognises the efforts of organisations in developing high caliber graduates that are either recent school leavers or those with one-two years of work experience. The judges will determine the success of the organisation by its ability to display success in grooming young talent to become future leaders through an accelerated learning environment, formal training, purposeful business opportunities and professional development.

5. Best Holistic Leadership Development Strategy

HR and leadership functions are under extreme pressure to proactively prepare organisations for the long road to recovery. With that, this category looks at leadership development strategy as a whole, the effectiveness of the various programmes, and the business benefits accrued as a result of developing high-quality leaders. As such, leadership programmes that focus on communication skills, soft skills training and more will rise above the rest as winners.

6. Best HR Communication Strategy

Leading organisations are able to deliver a gold-quality employee experience by capitalising on the wide array of internal and external communication channels. HR teams that have transformed the business through their effective and transparent communication strategy should enter. Winners of this category are those that have leveraged on social media and other innovative practices to reliably communicate key messaging to various stakeholders, to keep them highly engaged on the progress of business decisions.

7. Best Management Training Programme

This category recognises initiatives focused on grooming high-potential talent at various career stages for leadership positions. Judges seek comprehensive management training programmes that enable talent to execute business strategies and contribute to long-term success. Effective programmes may include cross-functional projects, leadership rotations, and interdisciplinary training that foster collaboration and leadership skills across different functions and departments.

8. Best Organisational Change Leadership*

This award recognises HR teams and leaders who have successfully navigated significant organisational changes, such as mergers, acquisitions, restructurings, or shifts in business models. Judges look for effective leadership strategies and tactics that communicate, engage, and support employees throughout the change process. Winning entries will showcase how HR has helped leaders make bold business decisions, instil confidence among stakeholders through clear crisis communication, and maintain robust business continuity plans to ensure the business remains resilient during dramatic contextual changes.

*This category was formerly Best Crisis Management and Leadership

9. Best Succession Planning Strategy

Managing succession has come more into focus than ever before. Judges are on the lookout for the future-focused practice of identifying the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform certain functions and then developing and executing a plan to prepare multiple individuals to potentially perform those functions.

10. Best Women Leadership Programme

This category celebrates organisations that advocate for a collaborative, positive and open approach to women empowerment and leadership. Entries that highlight how the organisation supports and nurtures a growing pool of talented female professionals, while pushing to become an equal opportunity employer in all aspects of rewards, performance and development will take home this award.

11. Most Innovative Leadership Development Programme NEW

This award celebrates creativity and innovation in leadership development. Judges will look for programs that leverage new technologies, learning methodologies, or experiential approaches to cultivate leadership skills in unique and impactful ways. Winning entries will showcase how these innovative strategies effectively prepare leaders to navigate complex business environments and drive organisational success.

12. Most Inspiring Leader - Individual winner category

◦ Recent times have seen some of the most challenging socio-economic times and brought with them a real test of leadership. This category is a remarkable opportunity to recognise a leader who has demonstrated leadership at any level, from the frontline to C-suite, and has stepped up to help individuals and teams navigate personal and business challenges. Inspirational leaders who showcase how they leverage on their ambition and vision to spark confidence in others, motivate, engage and drive high performance will win.

*Prerequisite: In order to be eligible for this award, the company of the respective candidate must have entered at least 2 other categories at the Employee Experience Awards 2025. This is to support their claims to the judges with examples of work the candidate had been involved in leading or overseeing.

Learning

13. Best Capability Development Programme for the HR Team

HR professionals themselves must embody the value of upskilling to remain strategic and trusted business partners. Entries that highlight focus on the HR team’s own development, by providing a plethora of innovative developmental opportunities and build in-house cross-functional expertise in HR will ensure a win in this category.

14. Best Career Development Programme

This award recognises the career development opportunities that the organisation provides for its employees such as coaching, mentoring, upskilling, lateral moves, reverse mentoring and more. Entries that showcase strong business alignment, lifelong commitment to employees’ professional development, and overall mastery in planning for future skillsets will win.

15. Best In-House Certification Programme

This award celebrates organisations that value professional and lifelong continuing education as an essential foundation of capability development through benchmarked standards of excellence. Judges are on the lookout for in-house certification programmes which are tailored to suit the needs of employees and the business, and are built with a view to progressively enhance the competencies of the workforce.

16. Best In-House Learning Academy

An in-house learning academy is on the wish list of a majority of L&D professionals who are able to devote the time, investment and resources to pooling together expertise internally. However, an academy today is no longer just a physical learning space, but rather a library of content that organisations provide their employees. Winners in this category must demonstrate their expertise in building a sound infrastructure that enables functional, technical and business learning.

17. Best Learning and Development Programme

Leading the future of work transformation, L&D programmes form a key element of robust talent development and business progression. Workplace learning empowers employees to hone new skills and grow professionally, while on the business front, it helps to engage the workforce and increase productivity. HR teams that integrate blended learning and unlock talent capabilities through learning tech and tools to improve bottom line business productivity will emerge victorious.

18. Best Learning Culture Journey NEW

This category celebrates organisations that have fostered a culture of continuous learning and growth. Judges will look for initiatives that promote a growth mindset, encourage knowledge sharing, celebrate learning achievements, and embed learning into everyday work practices. Winning entries will showcase how these efforts create an environment where employees are motivated to develop their skills and contribute to the organisation’s long-term success.

19. Best Learning Technology Implementation NEW

This category celebrates the effective use of data and analytics to measure, track, and optimise learning outcomes. Judges will look for initiatives that leverage AI-powered learning analytics to personalise learning pathways, identify skill gaps, and demonstrate the business impact of learning investments. Winning entries will highlight successful implementations of technologies like learning management systems (LMS), learning experience platforms (LXP), or virtual reality (VR) training, showcasing their impact on learner engagement, accessibility, and overall learning outcomes.

20. Best Remote Learning Initiative

This award recognises the best solutions to continued learning and development amidst the shift to a remote working environment. Entries that showcase effective use of technology, communication, combined with tangible results, will win this category.

21. Best Skilling Strategy

A high-performing, agile organisation is often identified by its future-ready organisational design, underpinned by a strategic approach to upskilling and reskilling. HR teams that focus on helping employees to thrive in the current business climate as well as provide a platform to hone skillsets for future employability through a company-wide skills programme will win.

22. Best Soft Skills Training Programme

This category honours organisations that supported their employees with training in skills that help them most successfully interact with others. This can include, but is not limited to, adaptability, communication, customer service, decision making and problem-solving, listening, negotiation, networking, organisational skills, public speaking, teamwork and time-management. Judges will be looking at how these programmes were successfully implemented to yield positive results.

23. Best Talent Mobility Programme

Organisations mobilising their employees in a post-pandemic environment have both intra-country and overseas mobility options to consider based on their talent & careers strategy. For those looking at beyond-borders mobility, pandemic protocols and regulations will continue to play a role in determining the hygiene and safety of the employee during any assignment. This award aim to recognise post-pandemic mobility programmes that equip organisations to overcome new-normal barriers, while ensuring mobility remains a strong contributor to not just assignee’s career development, but to the overall talent ecosystem.

Engagement

24. Best Employee Advocacy Programme

Companies that champion their employees’ voices and nurture a culture of advocacy recognise the advantages of narratives shaped by their workforce. This category applauds organisations that have excelled in empowering employees to serve as effective advocates, both within and beyond the organisation’s bounds. Judges will scrutinise initiatives that magnify employee perspectives, elevate engagement levels, and contribute positively to the standing of the organisation.

25. Best Employee Engagement Initiative

Outstanding companies comprehend that a profoundly engaged workforce is fundamental to their accomplishments. This category lauds organisations that have conceived and executed remarkable initiatives to cultivate deep-seated employee engagement. Judges will seek out evidence of strategic and imaginative endeavours that have fortified the emotional link connecting employees and the organisation, yielding heightened productivity, contentment, and staff retention.

26. Best Employee Feedback and Listening Strategy

In this era of transparent communication, companies that accord priority to and take action based on employee feedback hold a distinct edge. This category acknowledges enterprises that have crafted exemplary strategies to actively solicit and attentively address employee insights. Judges will be on the lookout for holistic approaches that cultivate an atmosphere wherein employee feedback is not only cherished but is also translated into meaningful actions, fostering ongoing enhancements.

27. Best Employee Wellness Strategy

High performing companies that measure employee health as a key part of their overall risk management strategy generate a healthier workforce, organisational culture and financial bottom line. Since wellness and employee engagement go hand-in-hand, judges are on the lookout for an integrated plan of action that boosts the holistic wellness of the workforce, through mental, emotional, financial and physical lenses.

28. Best Employer Branding

This category celebrates companies that have successfully created a strong brand story that resonates with employees and positions the organisation at the top of candidates’ employer wish lists. HR teams that leverage on innovative storytelling techniques, inspirational employer branding champions, and a partnership with internal stakeholders, among many others to engage potential and current employees will emerge as the top.

29. Best HR Digital Transformation Strategy

With the shift in generational demographics, on top of the rapid advancements in technology, HR is often left trying to balance legacy organisational processes with the demands posed by a new generation of employees. Entries that showcase how HR has taken the lead to transform the business through digitisation and digitalisation, whilst improving the overall employee experience will take home the award.

30. Best Hybrid Work Model

This award recognises initiatives that have gone beyond a simple mix of on-site and remote hours. Judges will be looking for examples of hybrid work model roll-outs that gave employees more flexibility to get work done when, how and where proved to be most conducive to them, while improving productivity and favourability scores simultaneously.

31. Best Parental and Caregiver Support Programme

Balancing professional obligations with the roles of parenting and caregiving presents intricate challenges. This category applauds organisations that have showcased exceptional dedication to supporting their employees in these pivotal responsibilities. Judges are interested in initiatives that furnish comprehensive aid, adaptable arrangements, and a nurturing environment for parents and caregivers, thereby contributing to their well-being and professional achievements.

32. Best Rewards and Recognition Programme

Effective employee recognition programmes help to attract and retain top talent, and ensure that employees feel valued, appreciated, and motivated to achieve company goals. HR teams that integrate relevant and innovative rewards to drive recognition, and incentivise the behaviours required to enhance the organisational culture will win.

33. Best Use of Technology to Enhance Employee Engagement NEW

This category celebrates innovative uses of technology to improve employee engagement by addressing employee needs. Judges seek examples of hybrid engagement platforms, social intranets, gamification tools, or AI-powered chatbots that effectively listen to and support employees. Winning entries will demonstrate how these technological solutions enhance communication, foster engagement, and contribute to a positive work environment.

34. Best Workforce Innovation

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, successful organisations are those that continuously innovate not only their products and services but also their approach to workforce management. This category recognises and applauds organisations that have demonstrated outstanding innovation in how they attract, develop, and retain their talent.

We’re looking for initiatives that have broken new ground in HR practices, recruitment strategies, employee development, and workforce well-being. These innovations may span areas such as AI-driven recruitment processes, revolutionary talent retention strategies, creative workplace flexibility arrangements, or pioneering approaches to upskilling and reskilling.

Winning this award means showcasing how your organisation has disrupted the status quo to create a more engaged, adaptable, and resilient workforce. Share with us how your innovative workforce strategies have contributed to organisational success and enhanced the overall employee experience.

Judges will be evaluating how these innovations have driven tangible results, improved productivity, fostered a culture of continuous learning, and positioned your organisation as a trailblazer in the realm of workforce management.

35. Best Work-life Harmony Strategy

It’s key that employees are able to strike a balance between work and personal life, especially in times when technology and remote working have blurred the line between work and home. Organisations that provide workplace flexibility and other holistic benefits/programmes to help employees cope with the demands of home and career while increasing productivity and reducing turnover should enter.

Talent Acquisition

36. Best Campus Recruitment Strategy

Rewards the best initiative to improve campus recruiting. Judges will be looking for examples of touchpoints used and a solid strategy including – but not limited to – sourcing, engaging, selecting and hiring young talent. Both entry-level positions and internships qualify in this category.

37. Best In-House Candidate Experience

Does your organisation consistently deliver a positive, respectful and professional experience at all touchpoints with candidates – be it from application to interviewing and from hiring to onboarding? Enter this category to be recognised for the exceptional candidate experience that your organisation provides.

38. Best In-House Recruitment Team

This award will go to the talent acquisition team that manages the recruiting and hiring efforts on behalf of their organisation. Judges will be looking at how the talent acquisition team coordinated with managers and stakeholders to source, screen and communicate with candidates.

39. Best Onboarding Experience

Companies that overcome specific cultural and logistical challenges to creating an engaging new-employee experience in a region as diverse as Asia will thrive in this category. Judges will reward organisations that have excelled in welcoming new employees all the way from day one to their ramp-up towards productivity, through the necessary knowledge, skills and disposition to become valuable team members.

40. Best Talent Assessment and Selection Process NEW

This category recognises organisations that have implemented innovative and effective methods for assessing and selecting candidates. Judges will look for the use of psychometric assessments, behavioural interviews, skills-based assessments, or other tools that identify candidates who are a good fit for both the role and the company culture. Winning entries will showcase how these processes improve hiring decisions and contribute to organisational success.

41. Best Talent Sourcing and Attraction Strategy NEW

This category recognises organisations that have developed creative and effective approaches to identifying and attracting top talent, including undiscovered sources of talent. Judges will look for innovative use of social media, employee referrals, talent communities, or targeted advertising campaigns. Winning entries will showcase how these strategies build a strong talent pipeline and contribute to the organisation’s success.

42. Best Use of Recruitment Technology Tools

Have you effectively leveraged on technology to optimise and streamline your organisation’s talent acquisition process? Have you demonstrated the ability to differentiate your company and attract candidates, all while minimising time-to-hire and bringing down costs? If you have explored innovative technological tools that make recruitment a breeze, we want to hear from you in this category!

Not Open for Entry

43. Overall Leadership Award

This category is not open for entry, and will go to the entrant who performs best across all categories in the leadership pillar. In order to qualify to win this overall winner category, companies must have entered at least three or more categories in this pillar.

Points System:

Gold: 4 points
Silver: 2 points
Bronze: 1 point

Tie-Breakers:
Most Gold: If total points are tied, the company with the highest number of Gold awards wins.
Most Silver: If Gold awards are also tied, the company with the highest number of Silver awards wins.
Highest Average Score: If a tie still persists, the company with the highest average score percentage (as assigned by the judges across all their winning entries) will win.

44. Overall Learning Award

This category is not open for entry, and will go to the entrant who performs best across all categories in the learning pillar. In order to qualify to win this overall winner category, companies must have entered at least three or more categories in this pillar.

Points System:

Gold: 4 points
Silver: 2 points
Bronze: 1 point

45. Overall Engagement Award

This category is not open for entry, and will go to the entrant who performs best across all categories in the engagement pillar. In order to qualify to win this overall winner category, companies must have entered at least three or more categories in this pillar.

Points System:

Gold: 4 points
Silver: 2 points
Bronze: 1 point

46. Overall Talent Acquisition Award

This category is not open for entry, and will go to the entrant who performs best across all categories in the talent acquisition pillar. In order to qualify to win this overall winner category, companies must have entered at least three or more categories in this pillar.

Points System:

Gold: 4 points
Silver: 2 points
Bronze: 1 point

47. Employee Experience Champion of the Year

The most coveted of all achievements at the Employee Experience Award, this prestigious title goes to the best performing entrant across all 4 pillars: Leadership, Learning, Engagement and Talent Acquisition.

Points System:

Gold: 4 points
Silver: 2 points
Bronze: 1 point