Search on for best employeers

The search is on to find the best company to work for in Barbados. Caribbean Catalyst has partnered with BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY and the Nation Publishing Co. Limited to offer the Barbados’ Best Employers award.During the launch on Thursday at Hilton Barbados, managing director of Caribbean Catalyst Rosalind Jackson said the programme, which is open to public and private sector companies of all sizes, will highlight practices which improve productivity and innovation.It will identify organisations with the best practices and seek to ascertain why they are the best, she said.Meanwhile Barbados Private Sector Association head Ben Arrindell said the introduction of the award was timely since it coincided with the “long overdue” Employment Rights Bill.He noted too that urgent action was needed to create a culture of excellence and productivity and added that there has been insufficient focus on work environments.Parliamentary secretary in the Prime Minister’s office Senator Harry Husbands was on hand to convey Government’s support for the initiative.He said it was in keeping with their aspirations to promote best practices in the workplace.Companies which make it through to the second stage will be judged on ten criteria, including compensation and benefits, organisational culture, community involvement and business strategy.During this stage, interviews with management and employee surveys will be conducted. The nomination and application stage will close on June 25. (NB)