Employer Excellence Certification

A fundamental aspect of the Employer Excellence Programme certification model is the consistent evaluation of businesses, regardless of their chosen survey provider. To ensure consistency, all surveys must address five key themes and include employee feedback on at least one sub-theme within each of these areas.

To support a rigorous, fair, and transparent assessment process, Fáilte Ireland engaged an independent service provider to evaluate and approve survey providers, and to create a comparable scoring framework. With businesses using different approved survey providers, this cross-provider scoring system standardises the criteria for employer recognition. This enables businesses to qualify for EEP awards and public recognition, regardless of the survey platform used. It also ensures fair comparisons across businesses using various employee engagement tools.

Your Employer Excellence certification is determined by the results of the employee engagement survey, as well as a 70% completion rate by your team in the Fundamentals of People and Performance Management. Survey results will be benchmarked independently by your survey provider.

The following is the breakdown of the certification ranking and titles:

Note that the above may be updated following a review.

The mark will be distributed to all businesses who complete their survey and the required Fundamentals of People and Performance Management training. Businesses will receive their badge once their score has been awarded by Fáilte Ireland. This usually happens from January onward each year.

Once you're certified through the Employer Excellence Programme, you’ll receive:

• A wooden plaque to proudly display at your business for all Commended, Excellent and Outstanding Employers.

• An official certificate recognising your achievement.

• An invitation to our annual black-tie awards ceremony

• Access to the Employer Excellence Exchange event and exclusive professional development workshops

Hotel Groups can survey their staff at Head or Central Office if they meet the essential criteria. The team must also complete the Fundamentals of People Management Training to be eligible for certification. See Q8 for additional information.

The certification and mark for Employer Excellence is valid for the year of certification. You will be certified each year for one year as part of the programme. Businesses are encouraged to remain in the programme on an ongoing basis to demonstrate your commitment to remaining an Excellent Employer.

To mark your achievement, once you are awarded the Employer Excellence mark, the mark should be proudly displayed alongside any other marks or awards as appropriate.