The Best Employers of South Africa-survey was recently published. The survey lists the employers of choice, based on certain criteria, and we’ve taken a look at some trends in the workplace, based on the practices of the top ten companies.
They are Shell SA, ABSA, Exxaro, Microsoft, Vodacom, Edcon, BHP Bilton SA, Pfizer, Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc. and Beyond Outsourcing.
In terms of forward thinking practices, these companies generally have the following in common:
1. They place great value on the development of their employees
This includes the development and training of employees demonstrated by, for example, the companies Exxaro and Microsoft.
The Exxaro mining group spends a total of 6% of its wage bill on development programmes. The company also makes use of learnerships and what they call a “talent pipeline”, in order to develop employees for future promotion.
Microsoft, which is situated on the fourth spot of the ladder, applies 10% of its payroll on development and initiatives like mentoring, training and specific programmes to develop managers and leaders.
Most of the companies listed in the survey have some sort of talent management system in place to train and groom employees for future positions, and to ensure that valuable employees are not lured away, but remain within the company.
2. They recognise the value of their employees by giving generous, market related payment and various benefits.
A good example is Shell SA, which is seen as the best company to work for overall. Shell places a high premium on rewarding employees. They offer attractive packages which include competitive salaries, plenty of leave (24 days a year), and several bonus schemes.
Other benefits utilised by best companies include maternity and paternity leave, and also adoption leave in some progressive cases.
3. Best companies are flexible
Best companies are flexible in their approach to getting the job done. The company Vodacom, for example, is apparently in the process of creating a programme which would allow employees to work from home.
Shell SA already makes use of this principle and offers workers the opportunity to work from home. The company also allows reduced working hours (with full benefits), which benefits both the employee – women with families, for example – and the company.
Best companies are also more flexible in the way they see company structure. Microsoft, for example, boast open plan offices and declare that skills and experience are more important than titles. This company has adopted a non-hierarchical set-up, to great effect.
4. They exhibit social and environmental accountability and responsibility.
All outstanding companies in the 2007-survey demonstrated remarkable involvement in their communities. Social welfare is seen as of great importance.
Microsoft is developing a network of what is called Digital Villages, which provide disadvantaged communities with access to computers and the opportunity to learn some basic computer skills.
These companies also encourage their employees to get involved in community upliftment and environmental conservation programmes, as is the case with the South African branch of the global pharmaceutical company Pfizer.
Pfizer has spent more than R100 million on corporate social investment (CSI) in South Africa and the rest of Africa. Of the company’s various programmes, the Difflucan Partnership forms a subtantial investment.
This partnership with the South African department of wealth sees the distribution of Difflucan, which is used to treat people with HIV and Aids, as well as the related education of patients and the training of healthcare professionals.
Vodacom is another company that takes CSI very seriously – as demonstrated by its CSI budget of R75 million in 2007. Their beneficiaries include the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Centre for Africa and the University of Cape Town’s Disability Unit.
When it comes to environmental conservation, the mining group Exxaro sets a good example. Exxaro initiated a biodiversity programme at a local mine, supports the Peace Parks programme and has become involved with a refuse removal programme at the Vukuzenzele informal settlement.
5. They appreciate and utilise the power of communication.
Best companies know that an informed employee, one who has the freedom to deliver input into the working of the company, is a powerful asset.
Pfizer, for example, encourages open communication lines between management and staff, while their management style is described as “open, inclusive and highly participative”.
Another company that places a high value on constant and open communication, is the progressive Microsoft, which insists that every employee should have the opportunity to speak his or her mind.
The bottom-line is that companies are waking up to the fact that the employees who do the work on a daily basis, might have innovative and valuable contributions to make to the structures and running of the company.
Sources:
Best Employers (TM) South Africa – 2007, www.bestcompaniestoworkfor.co.za |