DHL Express triumphs as Top Employer in Africa in 2015/2016

DHL Express has been certified as a Top Employer in 12 African markets at the prestigious Top Employer 2016 ceremony in Johannesburg.

A statement by Megan Collinicos, Head, Advertising and Public Relations, Sub-Saharan Africa made the disclosure on Monday in Lagos.

“This is the second consecutive year that the company is certified as a Top Employer in Africa by the Top Employers Institute, highlighting the importance that DHL places on employee engagement and development.

“Annual international research undertaken by the Top Employers Institute recognises leading employers around the world that provide outstanding employee conditions, nurture and develop talent throughout all levels of the organisation.

“It also recognises the company’s strive to continuously optimize employment practices,’’ the statement said.

It noted that DHL Express had been certified as Top Employers in 12 of their local markets including Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda.

It said that Hennie Heymans, Managing Director of DHL Express, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), noted that the certifications reaffirmed the company was on the right track to being an Employer of Choice.

The statement explained that being an Employer of Choice was one of the Deutsche Post DHL Group’s three bottom lines, and demonstrated how seriously employee engagement and development are to the business.

“Our vision is to be The Logistics Company for the World. We aim to be the logistics provider that people turn to first — not only for all their shipping needs, but also as an employee or investor’’.

It said that it was the simple reason why DHL had so heavily invested in its people.

“Happy employees who feel valued are loyal, motivated and productive. This is not only good for the employees, but also for the company.

“The company has implemented many initiatives to motivate employees — one of which is the Certified International Specialist (CIS) programme, which Heymans refers to as a ‘game changer’.

“CIS is a cultural change program and revolves around four attributes — Speed, Can-Do Attitude, Right First Time and Passion.

“Everyone from the Global CEO or our couriers have gone through this training programme which reinforces our core competencies.
This program has been central to employee development and retention,’’ the statement said.

It said that an extension of the CIS program is the Certified International Manager (CIM) programme.

“This focuses primarily on ensuring that our leaders have the correct balance between IQ and EQ, and have the right leadership and social skills to lead tomorrow’s workforce,’’ it quotes Heymans as saying.

Other employee recognition and engagement programmes include the annual Employee Opinion Survey, Employee Appreciation Weeks aimed at celebrating and recognising employees’ achievements within each country, and regular recognition schemes, such as the Employee of the Quarter/Year.

“As the workplace landscape continues to evolve in Africa, we will continue to focus on balancing corporate and societal cultures while promoting diversity and most importantly, retain, motivate and develop our most valuable assets — our people.’’