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.

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.

This category recognises HR teams that have designed executive coaching programmes tailored to help senior executives become adaptive, innovative and more agile business leaders. Focused on rewarding HR teams that have either organised in-house transformational coaching or collaborated with external vendors, the programmes that shift behaviours and mindsets while fuelling business growth will win.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

This category acknowledges organisations that have successfully managed their remote workforce, including gig workers, through their work-from-home and flexible working arrangements pre, post and during the pandemic. Entries that emphasise how organisational leaders have successfully leveraged on digital technologies to keep a pulse on employees without causing disruptions to workflow processes and business productivity will win.

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.

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.

 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This award will go to the HR team that can demonstrate the strategy behind a successful remote working arrangement. Judges will be looking for ways in which company culture was preserved and processes were uninterrupted.

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.

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.

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.

An attractive, well-conceptualised office with a focus on sustainability is becoming more vital to an organisation’s employee value proposition. Forward-looking organisations understand the impact of a conducive and vibrant workspace on talent attraction and employee productivity. The best talent wants to work in an inspiring yet eco-friendly environment. This award recognises sustainable and ergonomic workspaces that provide spaces for employees to perform, collaborate, and thrive.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This category recognises the best employee referral programmes in the region. Judges will be looking for examples of the incentives used, ease of use, ways in which the scheme was promoted internally, as well as types of communication updates with, and recognition for, the employee who submitted the referral.

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

 

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.

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

 

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.