The Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards 2008


	Entrants are asked to pay close attention to the detail requested by judges in each category. Entries should be no longer than four sides of A4. Awards will be made in two categories. Small and Medium/Large. The judges will be looking for socially responsible organisations that can demonstrate close links to charities and have a genuine commitment to environmental issues. In your submission, please pay particular attention to the following questions: Outline the company's charitable and environmental strategies. What role do staff and management have in both the development and implementation of these strategies? Explain how the company’s environmental strategies actively contribute towards a reduction in the carbon footprint. Please provide tangible results. Give details on how the company's charitable and green policies have had a positive impact on employees and the communities it is based in. What have the benefits of these policies been to the organisation? Awards will be made in two categories. Small and Medium/Large. The judges will be looking for organisations who can demonstrate a proactive and imaginative approach to Talent Management. In your submission, please pay particular attention to the following questions: Outline the challenges facing your organisation in managing talent in line with organisational need. Provide evidence of the systematic approach adopted in identifying and developing talent. Give details of the company’s succession planning process and how the organisations future needs are matched to the aspirations of individual employees. Provide details on how your talent management polices are aligned with HR policy and organisational goals. What have the benefits and achievements been to the company in adopting these policies? Awards will be made in two categories. Small and Medium/Large. The judges will be looking for organisations which show a planned approach to implementing work life balance practices, can demonstrate good practice in such areas as flexible working, maternity/paternity leave etc. and have a clear rationale for the work life balance practices applied. In your submission, please pay particular attention to the following questions: What have been the benefits to the organisation since implementing its work life balance initiatives? What role do staff have in introducing work life balance practices? Give details on how management are committed to work life balance practices What impact have the work life balance policies had on employees? How does the company show innovation and flexibility in the way they manage people? Awards will be made in two categories. Small and Medium/Large. Judges will be looking for organisations that can demonstrate they provide a uniquely positive, productive and rewarding environment for employees. In your submission, please pay particular attention to the following questions: Explain how the company demonstrates flexible and innovative ways of developing people. How does the organisation empower and engage staff in driving continuous improvement? Give details on the business benefits of the company’s approach to people management. What commitment does the organisation have to managing a diverse workforce? Provide details on a clear rationale for the organisation’s reward and recognition strategies. Awards will be made in two categories. Small and Medium/Large. The judges will be looking for the company that has developed clear recruitment and employment strategies on an all-Ireland basis. In your submission, please pay particular attention to the following questions: How have your recruitment and employment practices evolved to support increased cross-border trade? What impact have these strategies had on employment within your own organisation and those of business partners/clients? How has the implementation of these strategies improved the development of your employees and organisation? How has the development of your business across the island, including investment in staff, improved your profitability? Awards will be made in two categories. Single branch agency and Multiple branch agency The judges will be looking for a consultancy that offers complete recruitment solutions and demonstrates a high standard of service to both candidates and customers. In your submission, please pay particular attention to the following questions: How quickly can the company provide candidates of the required standard? Can the company demonstrate long-term relationships with customers and candidates? How are staff within the consultancy trained and developed? Can the consultancy demonstrate the application of best practice, in terms of good management systems? Can the consultancy demonstrate success looking at turnover, expansion into new markets, developing client base, increased portfolio of services? Awards will be made in two categories. Single branch agency and Multiple branch agency The judges will be looking for a consultant who is well organised and efficient, is customer focused, has proven business development skills, works as part of a team and makes an exceptional contribution to their agency. In your submission, please pay particular attention to the following questions: Does the consultant offer innovative solutions/alternatives when positions are difficult to fill? Is the consultant a high achiever against internal targets? Can the consultant demonstrate regular proactive contact with his or her clients? Does the consultant deliver what is promised within agreed timeframe and guidelines? What exceptional contribution does the consultant make to his/her agency? Awards will be made in two categories. Client Recruitment Advertisement and Recruitment Agency/Advertising Agency Advertisement Please attach a copy of the recruitment advertisement that appeared in an Irish publication during the required period. The judges will be looking for an advertisement that is: Eye catching Has Individuality Sells the role to the reader Meets all the necessary legal standards, including being non-discriminatory Provides all the required response details with a clear call to action In your submission, please pay particular attention to the following questions: What was the main objective of the advertisement? How successful was the advertisement in achieving its objectives? What was the creative process which led to this advertisement?