1. Employer of the Year
Pre-requisite: To enter this category, you must have entered at least three (3) other non-talent categories in the HR Excellence Awards.
This award recognises the employer that has demonstrated excellence in all aspects of HR management, resulting in improved employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention. The winner will have created a positive and supportive workplace culture, implemented effective talent management and development strategies, and prioritised employee wellbeing and safety.
2. Excellence in Addressing Urban Workforce Challenges *NEW*
This category recognises organisations that tackle the unique challenges of the urban workforce through sustainable, ESG-aligned strategies. Submissions should demonstrate how initiatives enhance employee well-being, promote inclusivity, address urban infrastructure limitations, and support sustainable commuting practices, while adapting to the evolving HR landscape and contributing to long-term socio-economic development.
3. Excellence in Agile Talent Mobility
This category recognises organisations that excel in facilitating talent mobility within their workforce, allowing employees to move seamlessly across roles and departments. Submissions should highlight innovative approaches to talent redeployment, skill development, and career progression.
4. Excellence in AI-Powered HR Solutions
This category recognises organisations that leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance their HR processes. Submissions should emphasise how AI is utilised for talent acquisition, predictive analytics, employee engagement, and other HR functions, resulting in improved outcomes.
5. Excellence in Business Transformation
This category recognises organisations that have undergone significant changes in their business models or processes, resulting in improved efficiency, productivity, and profitability. The winner will have demonstrated a clear understanding of their market, people, customer needs, and a proven track record of executing and implementing change.
6. Excellence in Corporate Wellness
This category recognises organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to promoting employee health and wellbeing in the workplace. The winner will have implemented effective strategies that prioritise mental, physical, and emotional health, resulting in increased employee engagement, reduced absenteeism, and improved productivity.
7. Excellence in Crisis Preparedness*
This category celebrates HR teams and organisations that have demonstrated outstanding foresight and preparation in managing potential crises. It highlights the ability to proactively identify risks, devise robust crisis management frameworks, and implement measures to mitigate the impact of unforeseen events on both employees and business operations.
Nominees in this category excel in crisis prevention and readiness, showcasing their strategic planning and execution before and during a crisis. Unlike Excellence in Crisis Recovery, this category focuses on how organisations anticipate challenges and safeguard their workforce and operations through preventive measures and immediate crisis response.
*This category was formerly known as ‘Excellence in Crisis Management Planning’
8. Excellence in Cross-Generational Workforce Engagement
This category recognises organisations that excel in creating a work environment where employees from different generations collaborate effectively. The winner will demonstrate an ability to engage and motivate a diverse workforce by promoting inclusivity, encouraging mutual respect, and fostering open communication. Successful candidates will have implemented strategies that leverage generational strengths to enhance teamwork, drive innovation, and improve overall workplace culture.
9. Excellence in CSR Strategy
This category recognises organisations that have demonstrated a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility. The winner will have implemented effective strategies that prioritise ethical practices, sustainability, and social impact, resulting in positive outcomes for both the organisation and its stakeholders.
10. Excellence in Digital Transformation
This category recognises organisations that have successfully integrated digital technology into their operations, resulting in improved efficiency, productivity, and profitability. The winner will have demonstrated a clear understanding of emerging technologies, the ability to execute and implement change, and a commitment to ongoing innovation.
11. Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
This category recognises organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. The winner will have implemented effective strategies that prioritise creating a safe and inclusive work environment, resulting in increased employee engagement, reduced turnover, and improved productivity.
12. Excellence in Employee Advocacy and Brand Ambassadors
This category recognises organisations that empower employees to become advocates and brand ambassadors. Submissions should showcase how employees are engaged in standing up for ideas & approaches that they believe, how they are empowered to have a voice as a collective, and how these initiatives are, in turn, promoting the company’s values, mission, employer branding, and products/services.
13. Excellence in Employee Engagement
This category recognises organisations that have implemented effective strategies to engage and motivate employees, resulting in increased job satisfaction, productivity, and retention. The winner will have demonstrated a clear understanding of employee needs and preferences, and have implemented initiatives that prioritise employee voice and recognition.
14. Excellence in Employee Volunteerism
This category recognises organisations that have implemented effective strategies to encourage and support employee volunteerism, resulting in positive outcomes for both the organisation and its community. The winner will have demonstrated a commitment to social impact and employee empowerment, and have implemented initiatives that prioritise volunteerism and community engagement.
15. Excellence in Employer Branding
This category recognises organisations that have developed a strong employer brand, resulting in increased recruitment success, employee engagement, and retention. The winner will have demonstrated a clear understanding of their organisation’s unique value proposition, and have implemented effective branding strategies to communicate this to potential employees.
16. Excellence in Graduate Recruitment and Development
This category recognises organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to recruiting and developing top graduate talent, resulting in improved organisational performance and success. The winner will have implemented effective recruitment and development strategies, prioritised employee growth and development, and demonstrated a commitment to ongoing learning and innovation.
17. Excellence in HR Change Management
This category recognises organisations that have demonstrated excellence in managing change and transformation within their HR function, resulting in improved organisational performance and success. The winner will have implemented effective change management strategies, communicated effectively with employees and stakeholders, and demonstrated a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation.
18. Excellence in HR Communication Strategy
This category recognises organisations that have implemented effective communication strategies within their HR function, resulting in improved employee engagement, productivity, and retention. The winner will have demonstrated a clear understanding of employee needs and preferences, and have implemented initiatives that prioritise effective communication and employee voice.
19. Excellence in HR Innovation
This category recognises organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to innovation within their HR function, resulting in improved organisational performance and success. The winner will have implemented effective HR innovation strategies, demonstrated a clear understanding of emerging technologies and trends, and prioritised ongoing learning and development.
20. Excellence in Hybrid Working
This category recognises organisations that have implemented effective strategies to support hybrid working, resulting in improved employee satisfaction, productivity, and work-life balance. The winner will have demonstrated a commitment to flexibility and adaptability, implemented effective communication and collaboration tools, and prioritised employee wellbeing and safety.
21. Excellence in In-House Talent Pipeline Strategy
This category recognises organisations that have implemented effective strategies to develop and retain talent within their organisation, resulting in improved organisational performance and success. The winner will have demonstrated a commitment to ongoing learning and development, implemented effective talent development strategies, and prioritised employee growth and career progression.
22. Excellence in Leadership Development
This category recognises organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to developing and nurturing strong leadership within their organisation, resulting in improved organisational performance and success. The winner will have implemented effective leadership development strategies, prioritised ongoing learning, and development, and demonstrated a commitment to creating a positive and supportive leadership culture.
23. Excellence in Learning and Development
This category recognises organisations that have implemented effective learning and development strategies, resulting in improved employee performance, engagement, and retention. The winner will have demonstrated a clear understanding of employee needs and preferences, implemented effective training and development programmes, and prioritised ongoing learning and innovation.
24. Excellence in Crisis Recovery*
This category recognises HR teams and organisations that have turned adversity into opportunity, showcasing exceptional resilience and ingenuity in rebounding from a crisis. It celebrates those who successfully navigated the aftermath of unexpected events, leveraging innovation and strategic thinking to rebuild and adapt well.
Nominees in this category shine in post-crisis recovery and transformation, demonstrating how they overcame challenges, re-engaged employees, and achieved renewed organisational success. Unlike Excellence in Crisis Preparedness, this category spotlights the ability to recover and thrive after the crisis has occurred.
*This category was formerly known as ‘Excellence in Recovery and Rebound Strategy’
25. Excellence in Retention Strategy
This category recognises organisations that have implemented effective retention strategies, resulting in improved employee engagement, productivity, and retention. The winner will have demonstrated a clear understanding of employee needs and preferences, implemented effective retention programs and initiatives, and prioritised employee growth and development.
26. Excellence in Talent Acquisition
This category recognises organisations that have implemented effective talent acquisition strategies, resulting in improved recruitment success, employee engagement, and retention. The winner will have demonstrated a clear understanding of their organisation’s unique value proposition, implemented effective recruitment strategies and initiatives, and prioritised diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices.
27. Excellence in Talent Management
This category recognises organisations that have implemented effective talent management strategies, resulting in improved organisational performance and success. The winner will have demonstrated a commitment to ongoing learning and development, implemented effective talent development programs, and prioritised employee growth and career progression.
28. Excellence in the Use of HR Tech
This category recognises organisations that have successfully integrated HR technology into their operations, resulting in improved efficiency, productivity, and profitability. The winner will have demonstrated a clear understanding of emerging HR technologies, implemented effective HR tech solutions, and prioritised ongoing innovation and improvement.
29. Excellence in Total Rewards Strategy
This category recognises organisations that have implemented effective total rewards strategies, resulting in improved employee engagement, productivity, and retention. The winner will have demonstrated a clear understanding of employee needs and preferences, implemented effective rewards programs and initiatives, and prioritised employee growth and development.
30. Excellence in Women Empowerment Strategy
This category recognises organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to promoting women’s empowerment in the workplace. The winner will have implemented effective strategies that prioritise gender equality, inclusivity, and diversity, resulting in increased female representation and leadership within the organisation.
31. Excellence in Workforce Flexibility
This category recognises organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to promoting flexible working arrangements, resulting in improved employee satisfaction, productivity, and work-life balance. The winner will have implemented effective flexible work policies, demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and prioritised employee wellbeing and safety.
32. Excellence in Workforce Mobility
This category recognises organisations that have excelled in overseeing and nurturing employee mobility on a global scale, leading to enhanced organisational performance and triumph. The winner will stand out for their adept deployment of comprehensive international mobility policies, unwavering dedication to continuous learning and development, and a resolute focus on fostering employee growth and facilitating career advancement on the international stage.
33. Excellence in Work-Life Harmony
This category recognises organisations that have implemented effective strategies to support work-life harmony, resulting in improved employee satisfaction, productivity, and wellbeing. The winner will have demonstrated a commitment to flexibility and adaptability, implemented effective work-life balance policies, and prioritised employee wellbeing and safety.
34. Excellence in Workplace Culture
This category recognises organisations that have created and maintained a positive and supportive workplace culture, resulting in improved employee engagement, productivity, and retention. The winner will have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion, implemented effective communication and collaboration strategies, and prioritised employee wellbeing and development.
35. Excellence in Workplace Wellbeing
This category recognises organisations that have demonstrated a commitment to promoting employee wellbeing, resulting in improved employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention. The winner will have implemented effective workplace wellbeing programs and initiatives, demonstrated a commitment to ongoing learning and development, and prioritised employee safety and health.
36. Best HR Team (MNC)
Pre-requisite: To enter this category, you must have entered at least three (3) other non-talent categories in the HR Excellence Awards.
To be eligible for this category, the entrant must demonstrate that their organisation had 1000 employees or more during the eligibility period. Judges will be looking for HR teams that have achieved exceptional results as a unit, and demonstrated high levels of coordinated communication, strategy, execution, and consistency in their overall team performance.
37. Best HR Team (SME)
To be eligible for this category, the entrant must demonstrate that their organisation had fewer than 1000 employees during the eligibility period. Judges will be looking for HR teams that have achieved exceptional results as a unit, and demonstrated high levels of coordinated communication, strategy, execution, and consistency in their overall team performance.
38. HR Leader of the Year
Pre-requisite: To enter this category, you must have entered at least two (2) other non-talent categories in the HR Excellence Awards.
This award recognises an exceptional HR leader who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and management skills, resulting in improved organisational performance and success. The winner will have demonstrated a commitment to ongoing learning and development, implemented effective HR strategies, and created a positive and supportive workplace culture.
39. HR Manager of the Year
This award recognises an exceptional HR manager who has demonstrated outstanding management skills, resulting in improved employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention. The winner will have implemented effective HR strategies and initiatives, demonstrated a commitment to ongoing learning and development, and created a positive and supportive workplace culture.
40. Most People-Focused CEO
This award recognises the CEO who places employees at the core of their leadership approach. The winner empowers their team by fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and development, encouraging innovation and initiative. With a focus on employee wellbeing and growth, this CEO drives business transformation by creating an environment where employees are motivated to contribute, leading to groundbreaking initiatives and lasting organisational success.
41. Young HR Talent of the Year
This award recognises a young HR professional who has demonstrated outstanding potential and achievement in the field of HR management, resulting in improved organisational performance and success. The winner will have shown a dedication to ongoing learning and development, implemented effective HR strategies, and contributed to creating a positive and supportive workplace culture. Nominees must have no more than five years of experience in the HR industry as of the end of the eligibility period for this award.
42. Overall HREA Winner (Not for Entry)
The highest honour, this award will go to the organisation that has performed best across all HREA categories (including Individual and Team categories). A points system will be used to determine the winner, and ties will be decided by judges’ percentage scores.
Points System:
- Gold: 4 points
- Silver: 2 points
- Bronze: 1 point
Tie-Breakers:
- Most Gold: If total points are tied, the organisation with the highest number of Gold awards wins.
- Most Silver: If Gold awards are also tied, the organisation with the highest number of Silver awards wins.
- Highest Average Score: If a tie still persists, the organisation with the highest average score percentage (as assigned by the judges across all their winning entries) will win.
