2019 06 07 EmpBen 284

HR and reward professionals who want their team or organisation to be in with a chance of winning a coveted trophy at the Employee Benefits Awards 2020 now have one last opportunity to submit entries. Due to an influx of enquiries, the deadline for award submissions has been given a final extension to Friday 7 February at 11pm.

As an additional incentive to encourage organisations to meet the deadline, Employee Benefits is launching a prize draw to win a table of 10 at the awards event for one lucky entrant.

The Employee Benefits Awards recognise exceptional HR teams and individuals from across all industries and sizes of business, in categories ranging from Best staff travel initiatives to Best diversity and inclusion initiative and Most motivational benefits.

For Best benefits communications, which is split into categories for large and small employers, judges will look for thought-through strategies and objectives, innovation, and quantifiable, measurable results. Submissions should discuss the part communications plays in a wider benefits strategy, and the reasoning behind choices made around media and distribution of materials.

The award for Best DC pensions strategy, meanwhile, will recognise an employer that has developed an effective strategy that best meets the retirement needs of its workforce. This might mean reviewing an existing pension structure, changing contribution arrangements, or taking steps to reduce gender pension gaps, for example.

The winner for Best staff travel initiatives will be an employer that has made staff travel schemes, active commute campaigns, company cars, or any other initiatives effective as part of its benefit strategy. Employers in this category might wish to showcase how they have aligned staff travel policies with organisational goals, such as sustainability, or employee needs and wellbeing.

Judges considering the Most motivational benefits will be looking for a successful performance management strategy, using either incentives or motivational rewards. The winner will use these strategies to help drive employee performance, engagement, or retention, and should be able to demonstrate how these strategies have been relevant and effective for their workforce.

The Best voluntary benefits award will be won by an organisation that has launched or revamped its use of staff-paid voluntary benefits or staff deals. Employers will have the opportunity to reveal what benefits they offer, how the scheme is communicated to staff, and how it aligns with other benefit strategies within the organisation.

The Employee Benefits Awards also presents an opportunity for teams and individuals to win accolades for themselves, showcasing their innovation, collaboration and hard work throughout the last year.

Alongside Employee benefits professional of the year, which recognises an industry leader, the Rising star category is an opportunity to celebrate an HR professional who has had a significant impact on the business, despite having been in the industry for no more than five years. The judges will be looking out for how the skills and talents of this individual have quickly come to play a crucial part in the delivery of benefits strategy.

The awards event, which is now in its 18th year, offers employers the opportunity to showcase the significant contribution to both their own employees and in the wider world of work through benefits and reward strategies.

The winners will be announced at the Employee Benefits Awards and Summer Party, to be held on Friday 5 June 2020 at the The Pavilion at the Tower of London, where industry professionals will have the opportunity to network and celebrate at an iconic London location.

Make sure your organisation is in with a chance of winning, and put your name in the ring for the prize draw, by submitting an entry by the final deadline of Friday 7 February 2020 at 11pm.

See more information and enter