Firm defends Employers Survey results

Business Reporter
INDUSTRIAL Psychology Consultants, organisers of the annual Best Employers Survey, have defended the outcome of their 2010 Best Employers Survey.
Civil society organisations headed the list of last year’s top 10 best employers, with Plan International, Oxfam and Catholic Relief Services taking upr the top three positions, in that order.
However, some observers have argued that some “top companies” should have made the list, and that the sample size was too small.
IPC managing consultant Mr Memory Nguwi said although his organisation invited a broad range of participants, a number of companies and organisations declined.
At the same time some organisations were disqualified because they did not meet the minimum sample threshold (30 percent of total employee population) in terms of responses from employees.
“Some of the people wanted specific companies to be listed as best employers based on their external perceptions of these organisations.
“It is not possible to get every organisation regardless of size to participate in the best employers’ survey.
“Management in most organisations is scared of getting feedback from their own employees on issues affecting the organisation. This is precisely why a number of issues affecting employees go for years without being resolved.
“The bottom line is there are some organisations that are doing very well financially and have a good brand (outward) but their employees do not want to stay there any day longer,” said Mr Nguwi.
According to the results of the survey, Zimbabwe Fertilizer Company came in fourth position, followed by Zimbabwe Leaf Tobacco and Ernst & Young in fifth and sixth place, respectively.
In seventh place was Securico, followed by Windmill in eighth and Schweppes in ninth position.
Seed Co came in at 10th position.
The survey was based on an analysis of organisations’ levels Employee Engagement Index (EEI) contributing 85 percent to total score and the Human Resources Audit Rating (contributing 15 percent).
According to human resources experts, high employee engagement reflects high levels of productivity.