'Never have HR teams been so fundamentally critical to overall business success'
With our Australian HRD Awards 2022 just over three weeks away, anticipation leading up to the event is mounting. A moment to pause, relax and celebrate excellence in the HR profession after an exhausting year is more than welcome. The event is an opportunity to highlight the outstanding initiatives and achievements in HR in one of the most challenging years for people managers.
The continuing pandemic, the shift to flexible working, high job mobility and the ongoing impact of a rising cost of living has put HR professionals front and centre in their organisations. Leadership teams are looking to HR to steer a course through volatility and uncertainty all the while bringing their people along with them.
To help shine a spotlight on the individuals and teams who have excelled as leaders in their field will be host Jamie Durie welcoming hundreds of guests to the glamorous black-tie gala in Sydney.
Partners in excellence
Australian Business Lawyers and Advisors will once again be the event partner for the HR Awards 2022, sponsoring the Australian HR Director of the Year, Australian HR Manager of the Year, Australian HR Rising Star of the Year and Champion of the Year (CEO).
Nigel Ward, CEO of Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors (ABLA) says: “We will continue to support excellence in this industry and the critical category HR Champion (CEO) of the Year. We wish all finalists the best of luck for the night.”
Last year, Sarah Derry from Accor won the coveted title of HR Director of the Year for her business acumen and outcomes, particularly around culture in what the judges noted was an exceptionally challenging year for the hospitality industry due to Covid.
In the Company and Team awards categories, specialist recruitment agency Hays is sponsoring the sought-after HR Team of the Year award (companies with more than 1000 employees).
“In this current environment, never have HR teams been so fundamentally critical to overall business success,” says Hays Regional HR Director, Eliza Kirkby. “We’re proud to be supporters of HR teams as they work to attract and retain the best professionals for their businesses, today and for the future.”
As mental health issues have proliferated in organisations during the past year, HR departments have been on the frontline in managing the fallout from Covid. Wagestream Australia’s co-founder and CEO, Josh Vernon is keen to applaud the great work being done by HR departments in responding to rising levels of stress among employees.
“Though the last few years have been challenging, I’ve seen employers create great working environments by focusing on important new areas like financial wellbeing. That’s why Wagestream are so excited to present the award for Employer of Choice, a title any business would be proud to win.”
Hybrid models, HR success
Hardly any organisation has remained untouched by the shift to hybrid working triggered by the pandemic which has transformed employees’ relationship and expectations of work. If there was any doubt that hybrid work is here to stay, research by Gartner suggests that if an organisation were to insist on a full return to work arrangement, it would risk losing up to 39% of its workforce.
Craig Goldblatt, VP Partners & Alliances, Globalization Partners and sponsor of the awards, praised nominees for how they have risen to the challenges and embraced change.
“Remote work has become the way of the future, with companies embedding it in their workplace strategies. I commend every nominee for showcasing innovation, courage, empathy, and, most importantly, positive results. Congratulations to all.”
10 out of 10
Digital transformation has accelerated due to the pandemic with everything from payroll to onboarding being touched by technology. The ability of organisations to recruit, hire and train employees and then keep them engaged and connected remotely is a massive task that is rightly recognised when done well. The award for Best Use of Technology, sponsored by Employment Hero, is a significant accolade.
"The last two years have shown us that modern people management strategy is not only aided by technology but truly enhanced through it. I’m blown away by the exceptional talent and innovation shown by this year’s entrants into the Best Use of Technology category,” says Dave Tong, co-founder and CTO Employment Hero.
Companies know that investing in learning and development reaps rewards in increased engagement and productivity. But The Great Resignation and talent shortages across professions and industries has made L&D an even greater priority. Reskilling staff is top of the agenda for many HR professionals.
HR 2022 Awards sponsor Linkedin Learning takes a holistic view of the benefits to wider society of developing people and boosting their job prospects. LinkedIn says “Our vision is to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce, which is why LinkedIn Learning has proudly supported the Best Learning and Development Program award. Congratulations to the nominates for achieving your personal or professionals learning goals.”
As the countdown to 9 September begins and the red carpet gets ready to be rolled out, Siobhan Savage, CEO & Co-Founder of sponsor Reejig sums up the mood. “It is an absolute honour for Reejig to support and celebrate the tremendous effort. made by innovative teams in their pursuit of excellence. Good luck to all the finalists and can’t wait to celebrate with you all.”
Seats are now sold out, email [email protected] to be waitlisted.
