IBM Kenexa has awarded Premier Group International the title of New Zealand’s Overall Best Workplace of 2016.

Premier Group, a landscape and construction materials manufacturer and distributor, led the Small Workplace category (20-49 employees) and beat 49 other finalists to receive the top award in New Zealand’s longest running and largest measure of employee engagement. The awards, now in their 17th year, are based on employee perceptions of their workplace in a confidential online survey across key metrics including leadership, culture, recognition and engagement. It was Premier Group’s first time participating in the competition.

“Premier Group’s purpose ‘Deliver Happiness, Create Raving Fans, and Beautify Our World’ is central to everything that they do, and every business decision puts their people first,” says Emma Martin, Senior Consultant, IBM Kenexa New Zealand. “Their passion to express this purpose and tireless focus on happiness in the workplace makes them fitting recipients for this year’s Overall Best Workplace award.”

The IBM Kenexa Best Workplace 2016 survey results showed increases in employee engagement with the most notable positive trends appearing in teamwork, rewards and recognition, and employers taking action in response to feedback. More employees reported a sense of belonging, common purpose, and cooperation compared to 2015, as well as being able to share their knowledge and ideas freely.

This year over 36,000 employees from 210 New Zealand organisations representing private and public sectors participated in the awards.