Award categories
Leadership
1. Best Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
2. Best ESG Programme
3. Best Executive Coaching Programme
4. Best First-Time Manager Programme
5. Best Graduate Training Programme
6. Best Holistic Leadership Development Strategy
7. Best HR Communication Strategy
8. Best Management Training Programme
9. 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
10. Best Remote Management Strategy
11. Best Succession Planning Strategy
12. Best Women Leadership Programme
13. Most Innovative Leadership Development Programme *NEW*
14. Most Inspiring Leader – Individual Talent
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
15. Best Capability Development Programme for the HR Team
16. Best Career Development Programme
17. Best In-House Certification Programme
18. Best In-House Learning Academy
19. Best Learning and Development Programme
20. Best Learning Culture Journey *NEW*
21. Best Learning Technology Implementation *NEW*
22. Best Remote Learning Initiative
23. Best Skilling Strategy
24. Best Soft Skills Training Programme
25. Best Talent Mobility Programme
Engagement
26. Best Employee Advocacy Programme
27. Best Employee Engagement Initiative
28. Best Employee Feedback and Listening Strategy
29. Best Employee Wellness Strategy
30. Best Employer Branding
31. Best HR Digital Transformation Strategy
32. Best Hybrid Work Model
33. Best Parental and Caregiver Support Programme
34. Best Remote Work Strategy
35. Best Rewards and Recognition Programme
36. Best Use of Technology to Enhance Employee Engagement *NEW*
37. Best Work-life Harmony Strategy
38. Best Workforce Innovation
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.
39. Most Innovative and Sustainable Office Design
Talent Acquisition
40. Best Campus Recruitment Strategy
41. Best In-House Candidate Experience
42. Best In-House Recruitment Team
43. Best Onboarding Experience
44. Best Recruitment Marketing Campaign *NEW*
45. Best Recruitment Referral System
46. Best Talent Assessment and Selection Process *NEW*
47. Best Talent Sourcing and Attraction Strategy *NEW*
48. Best Use of Recruitment Technology Tools
Not Open for Entry
49. 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.
50. 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
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.
51. 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
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.
52. 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 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.