Accor and Diageo named among World’s Best Multinational Workplaces

The global research, consulting and training firm announced the 2012 Top 25 World’s Best Multinational Workplaces earlier this week in a ceremony in San Francisco.

In awarding 19th place on the list to Accor, which operates a number of hotel brands including Ibis, Novotel and Mercure, judges praised the France-based firm's commitment to setting new standards and improving the lives of their employees. 

Success driver​

Nearly 5,700 businesses took part in Best Workplaces competitions in 45 countries in the second half of last year and the first part of 2012. 250 of these were multinational firms which appeared on one or more of the national lists - including Accor in the UK.​

Of those 250, 38 passed a number of eligibility criteria and 25 were picked as the very best multinational workplaces.

"Hospitality is a profession which relies on customer contact and a passion for the industry," Antoine Recher, global chief HR officer of Accor, said.

"It is essential for us to make sure our employees feel proud, trusted and enthused. It is our employees who are constantly in touch with our customers and are therefore, the leading drivers of our success internationally."

Earlier this year, Accor launched its first training academy in the UK and unveiled a commitment to create 3,500 new jobs in the country in three years.​

"Accor’s human resources policies are based on values that unite employees, such as professionalism, recognition, diversity, communication and respect," Recher added.

UK quality​

In total, 10 companies made the list for the quality of their UK operations including McDonalds and General Mills - the company behind the Betty Crocker and Häagen-Dazs brands in this country.

Meanwhile London-based drinks firm Diageo was recognised for the quality of its workplaces in ten countries around the world including Ireland - it became the only food and drinks firm to make the top 10.

Tom O’Byrne, chief executive of the Great Place to Work institute in the UK, said being a great workplace actually helped companies increase their revenues.

"‘I am delighted that once again so many of the UK’s Best Workplaces have achieved a place on the Best Multinational Workplaces list. With only 25 organisations in the world awarded this prestigious accolade, the achievement of these 10 UK organisations is a testament to their world-beating leadership and commitment," he concluded.