Irish Examiner and RecruitIreland.com win HR award

TWO companies within the Thomas Crosbie Holdings group - the Irish Examiner and RecruitIreland.com - now hold the prestigious FÁS Excellence Through People Award.

Excellence Through People is the Irish quality standard for human resources best practice.

Human resources best practice develops and supports staff talent, rewards performances and encourages staff involvement in decision making and knowledge transfer.

The TCH group members were among 38 employers who were awarded the accreditation for encouraging their staff to reach their full potential.

A total of 420 companies in Ireland have now achieved the standard since its introduction in 1996.

Presenting the awards in Dublin Castle yesterday, Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin said successful employers encouraged their staff to reach their full potential because this allowed the organisation to also reach its full potential.

"I am impressed by the range of organisations that have achieved the quality standard and applaud their enthusiasm for excellence," he declared.

The Excellence Through People Award is open to all, regardless of size or sector.

Analytical Services and Environmental Projects Unit in Belfast, which employs eight people, was the smallest company to get accreditation yesterday, while Campbell Catering Services in Dublin, which employs 2,200, was the largest.

Minister Martin pointed out that between them, the 38 award recipients employ almost 10,000 people.

He said the award recipients had already grasped the economic reality that employers must take responsibility for improving the skills of their workplace.

Examiner Publications human resources manager, Liam Linehan, said the company was committed to developing the people who contributed to its success.

"Receiving the Excellence Through People accreditation is a milestone in our journey of continuous improvement for all our staff," said Mr Linehan.

"Today's success is an affirmation of people's commitment to our business," he added.

FÁS director general, Rody Molloy, said the standard would continue to be relevant to today's competitive business environment.

"Continuous change within the modern workplace requires an adaptable workforce," he stressed.

The 38 companies who received the award have a large geographical breakdown and conduct a wide range of activities.

The other award recipients are: AIB Global Treasury Business Support Services; Archaeological Consultancy Services; Bayer Diagnostics Manufacturing; Cagney Contract Cleaning; Collins McNicholas; County Offaly Citizens Information Services; Department of Social and Family Affairs Staff Development Unit; EBS; Electrolux Group; ESB Independent Energy; FEXCO; Finnstown Country House Hotel; GTECH Ireland Operations; International Fund Managers (Ireland) and Barings; J P Morgan Bank (Ireland); KWCD Local Employment Service; Lee Strand Co-operative Creamery; Mergon International; Musgrave Wholesale Services; Newbridge Community Training Workshop; NTDI; Peevers Slye and Partners; Rath na nOg; Schering-Plough (Brinny) Co; Southern Health Board - Employee Relations Dept; St Michael's Theatre; Stryker Orthopaedics; Tayto; Tegral Building Products; Tullamore Community Training centre; Waterford City Local Employment Service; West Offaly Integrated Development Partnership; Wexford County Council; Xerox (Europe) Limited including Xerox Ireland.