Performance across six-step framework is a must for the best

The Australian Best Places to Work survey uses 35 questions from WorkL’s employee engagement survey to most accurately monitor employee engagement and wellbeing in the workplace.

Organisations must consistently perform well across a rigorous six-step framework in order to be chosen for inclusion in The Australian Best Places to Work

The Australian Best Places to Work 2025 is produced in partnership with the leading employee-experience platform WorkL, which helps organisations to measure, track and improve employee experience with surveys.

The Australian Best Places to Work survey uses 35 questions from WorkL’s employee engagement survey, developed by behavioural scientists, data analysts, psychologists, business leaders, academics and other independent parties to most accurately monitor employee engagement and wellbeing in the workplace.

To achieve a high overall engagement score, an organisation must consistently perform well across WorkL’s six-step framework, encompassing:

1. Reward and Recognition

2. Instilling Pride

3. Information Sharing

4. Empowerment

5. Wellbeing

6. Job Satisfaction

It is not possible to trade off one dimension against another.

In a highly engaged workplace, all six steps will be seen positively by employees, albeit to varying degrees.

Each of WorkL’s Six Steps consists of between three and five key elements, which are measured on a 0-10 scale.

An organisation’s overall engagement score is the sum of all question responses, divided by the maximum possible value as a percentage.

This Australian Best Places to Work survey asks employees to respond to statements including:

• I am happy with the hours I work

• I am fairly paid

• I am recognised when I do something well

• I do something worthwhile

• I feel proud to work for my organisation

• Information is freely and openly shared with me

• I have enough information to do my job well

• My views are heard at work

• I understand the organisation’s plan

• I am trusted by management and my colleagues to make decisions

• I have the tools and training to do my job well

• My organisation cares for my wellbeing

• I don’t often feel anxious or depressed about work

• I feel happy at work

• I am treated with respect

• I have a good relationship with my manager

• I am developing in my role

• I work in a well-run organisation

To be successfully accredited as an Australian Best Place to Work, organisations must achieve a minimum 70 per cent overall engagement score.

Our banding threshold is based on both independent and WorkL commissioned research on employee engagement initiatives and is reinforced by WorkL’s benchmarking data of more than 115,000 organisations.

For an accurate representation of employee sentiment, organisations were required to send the survey to as many current employees as possible.

For The Australian Best Places to Work 2025 listings online visit www. theaustralian.com.au/special-reports/best-places-to-work
To enter the awards for next year, go to theaustralianbestplacestowork.com.au