Where do New Zealanders want to work?

Monday, 18 June 2018

New Zealand workers value work/life balance and job security but if you really want to win them over, you'll have to pay them well and offer solid perks.

Recruiter Ranstad has released its latest employer brand research, which asks New Zealanders which companies are the country's most attractive employers, and what they look for in a workplace.

Air New Zealand took to the top prize for the fifth time.

The Department of Conservation was rated the second-most attractive employer and the Ministry of Business, Employment and Innovation came third.

READ MORE: Banned from hiring staff - NZ's bad employers receive harsher sanctions

Katherine Swan, country director of Randstad New Zealand, said the airline had been recognised for its focus on technology and solid reputation.

Education and training was seen as the most attractive industry.

Salary and benefits were the most sought-after attributes in an employer, followed by work-life balance, job security and a pleasant work atmosphere.

Swan said what workers wanted in an employer changed year by year.

This year, 57 per cent of workers said they were seeking salary and benefits when they considered a new employer, compared to 62 per cent in 2015.

In 2016, half the respondents wanted work-life balance, a number which has since risen to 55 per cent.

Swan said it was important that businesses that proclaimed to offer such benefits had the policies and structures in place to deliver once employees began work.

Employers told the survey they offered workplaces that were financially healthy, with the latest technologies, job security, good reputations, and career progression.

Swan said that showed there was room to bridge the cap between their perceived offering and what staff wanted.

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon said the recognition was meaningful.

 'This is the fifth time we've won this award, which clearly reflects the efforts of our nearly 12,000 employees who play an integral role in upholding our strong reputation.

'Our focus on innovation and technology is very much driven from within the organisation, and our employees play a huge part in consistently improving the way we do things for our customer.'

Anita Rosentreter, of E Tu, said Air New Zealand had an unusually high rate of union membership.

Union delegates were able to work daily on dealing with any issues as they came up, she said.

'Employees have a say in how things go. That's what makes it a good place to work.'

New Zealand's Top 20 Most Attractive Employers

1. Air New Zealand

2. Department of Conservation

3. Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

4. Healthcare of New Zealand

5. TVNZ

6. House of Travel

7. Deloitte

8. AUT University

9. New Zealand Custom Service

10. Flight Centre NZ

11. Coca Cola Amatil

12. Massey University

13. University of Otago

14. New Zealand Police

15. Ara Institute

16. Dept. of Internal Affairs

17. Fonterra

18. Victoria University of Wellington

19. Ministry of Education

20. Millennium and Copthorne Hotels