Bangkok, May 22, 2013 - Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions business of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has just announced its 2013 List of Best Employers Thailand Awards as part of its 10-country study of the Best Employers in Asia Pacific. Mc Thai Company Limited topped this year’s roster as “Best of the Best” in Thailand.

Aon Hewitt’s Best Employers study was first conducted in Asia in 2001. The purpose of the study was to gain insights into companies that are creating real competitive advantage through their people, to explore what makes a workplace of choice, and to identify the Best Employers in the region.

Aon Hewitt’s Best Employers Study has become the most comprehensive study of its kind in Asia Pacific. It is conducted in 10 markets: Australia/New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. The research involves a rigorous process, conducted over a nine-month period, which culminates in a solid, credible list of Best Employers. This year, nine organizations received eleven Best Employers awards in Thailand:

Three special recognition awards were introduced this year: the Best Employer for Generation Y was awarded to Advanced Contact Center Co., Ltd. and Samitivej Public Co., Ltd. was singled out for Best Employer Commitment to Engagement.  The Best Employer for Women award, also new this year in Asia, was not awarded in Thailand.

The most noticeable trends that emerged in this year’s Best Employers Study in Thailand were:

1. Real Business Benefits for Best Employers: Best Employers achieved 33% higher growth in revenue growth (16% in the past year) compared to the study participants (12% average growth).  Best Employers also attained an 8% attrition rate, which was 5% less than the study participants’ average of 13%. Finally, Best Employers successfully filled more than twice the number of job openings internally (48%), as compared to study participants (21%).

2. People Challenges are highlighted by CEOs: Almost 80% of participating CEOs mentioned people issues as their biggest business challenge. “The top two issues identified by CEOs—the availability and selection of talent and the organization’s ability to attract and retain talent—underscore that people issues constitute a major priority in their business agenda," said Napas Sirivarangkul, senior consultant and engagement solution lead with Aon Hewitt in Thailand.

3. High Employee Engagement: Best Employers have significantly higher engagement scores than the Thailand market average (83% vs. 62%).  “Employees at Best Employer organizations exhibit significantly higher scores in critical engagement behaviors, such as the desire to remain a member of the organization, to expend extra effort, and to be wholeheartedly doing work that contributes to business success,” said Booraya Takerngrangsarit, Best Employers project manager in Thailand.

4. Compelling Employer Brand: The most prevalent messages Thailand employers are emphasizing in their employer brand are pride, learning and recognition. However, only 13% of participating organizations reported complete alignment between the CEO and HR on the definition of their employer brand.

5. Effective Leadership: 100% of the Best Employers in Thailand utilize formal processes to identify high potentials, as compared to 64% of the participating average.  The percentage of job openings filled internally at Best Employers is 48%, while the market average is less than half of that at 21%.

6. High Performance Culture: Based on Aon Hewitt research, high performing companies show clear accountability, have employees who feel supported by their managers, and consistently reward and recognize their employees. 73% of the employees at Best Employers agreed that “I am paid fairly for the contributions I make to the organization’s success,” compared with 46% market average.   Best Employers also provide growth opportunities that are aligned with the future needs of the organization: 85% of the employees at Best Employers confirmed that “The way we manage performance here enables me to contribute as much as possible to our organization’s success,” compared with 58% market average.

After more than a decade of experience conducting Best Employers research, Aon Hewitt has fine-tuned its approach and methodology based on the changing HR trends in Asia. The 2013 study differentiates itself from previous runs and other offerings in the market by means of its professional, data-driven approach that collects data from three distinct sources: employees, HR and the CEO. In addition, an external, independent judging panel composed of reputable business, academic and media leaders is appointed to blindly deliberate and decide on each year’s list of Best Employers. The study is built on a clearly articulated framework of four key themes, identified as critical for today’s HR agenda:

While the Best Employers study recognizes organizations that display standards of excellence, the journey to get there is one that Aon Hewitt recommends for every organization to embark upon. “For organizations that don’t make it to the Best Employers list, but are aspiring to become Best Employers, we want to reinforce that becoming a Best Employer doesn’t happen overnight,” says Gabriela Domicelj, Asia Pacific engagement practice leader and Best Employers Study lead at Aon Hewitt. “It is possible for everyone to become a Best Employer if you’ve articulated the destination you want to head to and have planned your journey wisely.”

Participation in Aon Hewitt’s survey brings a wide range of benefits for organizations, such as finding out how employees perceive and rate their employer, the reasons why they are attracted to certain employer brands, and the type of organizational culture they value sufficiently to “stay and strive.”  The study also provides a benchmark against company competitors in the market. Participating organizations gain access to Aon Hewitt’s latest market research insights, along with the best and most innovative people practices of Best Employers.

To find out more about the Aon Hewitt Best Employers Asia Pacific 2013 Study, please visit http://www.bestemployersasia.com

To find out more about Aon Hewitt Best Employers Thailand 2013 Awards or to inquire about the next edition of the Best Employers Study starting in July 2013, email: booraya.takerngrangsarit@aonhewitt.com

About Aon Hewitt

Aon Hewitt empowers organizations and individuals to secure a better future through innovative talent, retirement and health solutions. We advise, design and execute a wide range of solutions that enable clients to cultivate talent to drive organizational and personal performance and growth, navigate retirement risk while providing new levels of financial security, and redefine health solutions for greater choice, affordability and wellness.  Aon Hewitt is the global leader in human resource solutions, with over 30,000 professionals in 90 countries serving more than 20,000 clients worldwide.  For more information on Aon Hewitt, please visit www.aonhewitt.com.

About Aon 

Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurancebrokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 65,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovativeand effective risk and people solutions and through industry-leading global resources and technical expertise. Aon has been named repeatedly as the world’s best broker, best insurance intermediary, reinsurance intermediary, captives manager and best employee benefits consulting firm by multiple industry sources. Visit www.aon.com for more information on Aon andwww.aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon’s global partnership and shirt sponsorship withManchester United. 

Media Contacts:

Booraya Takerngrangsarit
+ Tel: 65.6.239.8797 
booraya.takerngrangsarit@aonhewitt.com 

Romy Serfaty
+852.2917 7952 / 9459 0100
romy.serfaty@aonhewitt.com