Diversity & Inclusion is the collective mixture of differences and similarities that includes for example, individual and organizational characteristics, values, beliefs, experiences, backgrounds, preferences and behaviors.

This Award therefore recognizes companies that have adopted and implemented policies and practices to build in and promote diversity and inclusion. It seeks to reward the thought process that the "culture of inclusion" has become a business imperative.

The use of Social Media for People Practices by an organization refers to the effective use of social media channels, tools and applications for driving key people processes for high impact.

The Award seeks to recognize companies that have a well rounded approach towards integrating social media across talent sourcing, employee engagement, learning, employer branding and so on.

Developing the Leaders of Tomorrow requires a different kind of approach as compared to the leadership development frameworks that organizations typically have. The need of the market is to have a holistic LEADER development approach, which focuses on elements such as sustainability, a global mindset, value system based on ethics, accountability.

This Award therefore seeks to recognize organizations which have been implementing best/next practices/programs in this area to develop their potential leaders (2 to 3 years) or emerging leaders.

Talent Acquisition is a critical component of any organizations HR strategy. These practices determine the manpower that enters and eventually runs the organization machinery and have an important impact on the employer brand and perceived employee value proposition

This Award, therefore, recognizes organizations that have instituted excellent practices in the field of talent sourcing and staffing and have elevated the talent acquisition lifecycle (sourcing, hiring, and onboarding) to a highly productive level.

A learning organization is one which promotes and enhances continuous learning of its employees to remain competitive. Learning and knowledge acquisition encourage critical thinking and experimentation resulting in improved employee contributions over time.

This Award therefore seeks to recognize organizations with demonstrated success in learning initiatives that include training, development and knowledge management. Learning includes acquisition of knowledge, skills, behaviors or competencies which are critical for organizational success.

This award seeks to recognize organizations that understand the linkage of employee health to business productivity. These have proactively identified or designed specific health and wellness programs which can support the needs of their employee segments.

Within the gamut of this award, will also be healthcare support provided to disabled employees or those who have been injured while at work, assistance provided to those who have a dependency on tobacco and suffering from obesity. In inclusive and forward-thinking organization, this could also involve counselling related to raising awareness.

This Award acknowledges the contributions of a company with a proven track record of providing HR Professionals with the superior service and assistance needed to perform their recruitment process.

This Award recognizes the HR Team that has implemented an innovative initiative in the last 12 months that increases employment opportunities for young people / graduates.

HR Team is a critical component of any organization that performs human resource management, oversee various aspects of employment, employment standards, administration of employee benefits and recruitment.

This award therefore seeks to recognize the HR team who have excelled within their function and across the organisation by partnering with the wider business to achieve bottom line performance

Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director, General Manager who has overall control of the business and to which the HR Director or Head of HR directly reports. This award recognizes the driven successful HR strategies from the top by putting people first and championing innovative HR values.

Director, Cluster Director, Group Director and Regional Director the most senior HR professional within the organisation above Directors level operating at Board level. They will be responsible for design and execution of an integrated HR strategy or plan.

HR Managers in this category run or assist in running the people management functions that support the business. The nominees must demonstrate leadership and direction to enable them to deliver a comprehensive HR service, be that through the HR Team or the Company as a whole. The role may be concerned with the provision of advice, guidance and support to managers in employee relations, discipline, grievance and absence management. Roles at this level may typically be entitled Head of HR or Head of Human Capital or similar.

HR practitioners whose role generally involves providing administrative support within the HR function. They may work in a general administration support function within HR or within a specific HR discipline such as recruitment, learning and development or reward. Nominees at this level may also include HR practitioners who provide advice and guidance to staff and managers within the organisation.

The Rising Star award aims to recognise up-and-coming HR practitioners that are set for a bright future. This award is open to HR professionals with less than three years' experience in the profession to find the next generation of talent in the HR community. Candidates must have worked for a minimum of two years in HR (but not necessarily in current role) and present evidence of their contribution to the business. Statements from their HR Director or other senior managers can be submitted to support the entry.

Award for women in the HR profession whose astounding personal and professional achievements have earned them a place among the industry’s best.

The judges will review achievements including: Professional accomplishments in the last five years, innovative ideas and Leadership.